A Physiatrist’s Guide to Safe Recovery

For athletes, tendon injuries can be a significant setback that hinders performance and leaves them struggling to relieve pain. Many athletes also feel pressured to return to their sport as soon as possible, risking further injury and damage to their tendons. At Macomb Pain Management, our physiatrists and board-certified pain management doctors work with athletes dealing with athletic injuries to help you get back to peak performance as quickly and safely as possible. We’ll look closer at tendon injuries and how our physiatrists are here to guide you towards a safe and speedy recovery.

Understanding Tendon Injuries

Tendons are connective tissues in the body that connect muscle to bone. While they are tough and able to handle large amounts of stress, overtraining, repetitive use, or acute injuries can cause them to develop microscopic tears or even be torn from the bone. Athletes may struggle to perform at their best and experience pain when this happens. Common examples of tendon tears we frequently see in athletes include:

1. Achilles tears
2. Patellar tendonitis (runner’s knee)
3. Tennis elbow
4. Rotator cuff tendonitis

Since tendons have a limited blood supply, they often take much longer to heal than other athletic injuries, like muscle strains. Luckily, physiatrists like those at Macomb Pain Management can help athletes manage their pain levels and minimize recovery periods, allowing for a quicker return to athletics.

Diagnosis of Tendon Injuries in Athletes

After a traumatic injury or suspected overuse injury, our physiatrists will have you undergo a detailed evaluation to identify if a tendon injury is present. Proper diagnosis of the injured tendon is essential for effective early treatment. Early treatment options include:

1. Reducing inflammation
2. Modifying activities
3. Correcting mechanics
4. Rest and recovery

More serious tendon injuries may require more advanced treatment options for pain relief and regaining mobility.

Treatment Options for Athletic Tendon Injuries

Physiatrists can provide several treatment options for tendon injuries, including minimally invasive and medication-free treatment options. Common treatment options we use for tendon injuries in our patients include:

1. Physical therapy
2. TenJet therapy
3. Bracing and orthotics
4. Anti-inflammatory medications and targeted injections

Every treatment pathway we recommend for our patients is tailored to their specific type of tendon injury and recovery goals. To learn more about your treatment options for minor to moderate to severe tendon injuries, contact Macomb Pain Management and speak with our physiatrists today.

How to Prevent Future Tendon Injuries

While there is always the risk of injury for athletes, there are steps you can take to prevent tendon injuries from happening. Our physiatrists can help you build conditioning programs that prevent you from developing an overuse injury (tendonitis) and offer steps to take to prevent a tendon injury during an athletic event. Some steps you can take to prevent a tendon injury include:

1. Strengthening supporting muscles
2. Warming up before getting active
3. Gradually increasing intensity of workouts
4. Allowing for adequate rest

Prevention of injuries is key for athletes and those who work physically demanding jobs.

Get Help With a Tendon Injury at Macomb Pain Management

If you are struggling to recover from an athletic tendon injury, Macomb Pain Management is here to help. Our team of physiatrists and board-certified pain management doctors has decades of combined experience helping our patients recover from tendon injuries and can do the same for you. Contact our offices today at (248) 844-8281 to get started on the path towards recovery.