Physiotherapy for Tendonitis

Physiotherapy can help you manage your tendonitis symptoms and other associated problems. Tendonitis, sometimes called tendinitis, is an irritation or inflammation of any of the tendons in your body. Your tendons are strong bands of connective tissue that attach your muscles to your bones. Tendonitis can be caused by repetitive use or overstretching of the tendon causing it to become irritated and inflamed.
Physiotherapy for Tendonitis

Physiotherapy ultimately aims to improve your quality of life. The physiotherapy rehabilitation goals for tendonitis are

• To relieve your symptoms
• Maintain or improve your muscle strength
• Maintain your overall fitness
• Promote injury prevention
• Safely return you to your original activities or sports

The kind of physiotherapy treatment that you will receive will depend on the specific type of tendonitis that you have; your symptoms and other related problems; whether you have had surgery or not; and your overall rehabilitation goals.

Physiotherapy Treatment Options for Tendonitis

Your physiotherapist may employ a combination of any of the following

• Immobilization if necessary (e.g. splinting, bandaging, taping)
• Cold therapy or cryotherapy (e.g. ice pack, ice massage)
• Heat pack
• Electrical stimulation / Iontophoresis
• Ultrasound / Phonophoresis
• Massage
• Joint mobilization techniques
• Physiotherapy exercises
• Gentle range of motion (ROM) exercises
• Flexibility / Stretching exercises
• General conditioning exercises
• Progressive strengthening exercises
• Suggest brace if necessary
• Recommend walking aid if needed
• Gait/Walking/Assistive device training (for lower limb injury)
• Ergonomic training
• Patient education
• Regarding the patient’s specific condition (type of tendonitis)
• Precautions to observe
• Suggest activity or work modification
• Self-care of symptoms
• Wound self-care / post-operative care (after surgery)
• Injury prevention
• Suggest work or sport-specific rehabilitation program

The physiotherapy treatment options mentioned above are general treatment interventions and should not be considered as treatment guideline for tendonitis. Only your personal physiotherapist can help you determine the appropriate treatment intervention best for your specific problems and goals. Your physiotherapist will gladly discuss with you about your specific plan of care.