Tendon Injuries

Tendon injuries are one of most common injuries we see at NK Active. They are commonly called tendinitis and come about from a change in activity or load;  this could be in the short term like walking 10k a week to 40k a week, it could be cumulative loading over time or underloading (returning to actibity at the same level after a period of time off).

Typically tendon injuries will present with stiffness in the morning, particularly the morning after some exercise;  pain may reduce during exercise and the effected tendon may hurt to palpate. You may notice some thickening of the tendon if it has been going on a while.

How we treat in clinic

First we understand why the tendon got injured in the first place, then we can educate you on why it happened. Education is important, because the majority of tendon injuries are related to a "training error".

Mostly, a tendon loading and rehabilitation programme is the starting point to help build up strength; as this helps the tendon and muscle get ready for the jobs it is needed to do.

Other treatment methods:

  • Shockwave therapy
  • 3D gait analysis
  • Insoles (orthoses) along with footwear advice or gait re-education.

Our results

We audit all of our data in NK Active, so we can consistently improve our service and make sure we are helping you achieve your goals.

We know that 98% of people are still doing all their work and daily activites 6 months after they have finished treatment.

Tendon Injury Facts

  • We use the term tendinopathy not tendinitis, as the suffix ‘itis’ means inflammation and current research suggests It is not inflammation
  • Pain doesn’t correlate with injury, it is perfectly normal to have some pain from time to time. Research suggests up to 4/10 (10 been worst pain) is ok
  •  Do not stretch an unhappy tendon, it will not thank you for it, think strength not stretching
  • Rest is just as bad as over doing it, tendons love to be loaded and if you rest completely you can start to decondition

What are people saying?