Regardless of the way anyone may describe the feeling, tendon strain is excruciatingly painful. This can occur during an injury that stretches the tendons inside the body in an abnormal way. Tendons inside the body connect the muscles and bones. When tendons are over stretched they can become injured by twisting an ankle as well as while playing sports.
There are, of course, different degrees of injury to a tendon, the worst being stretching it to the point of tendon rupture. Most people, however, suffer injuries to their tendons by overuse, or perhaps a fall, and of course playing sports.
Excessive force on any tendon whether found in the leg, foot, arm or wrist, for example will cause a tendon strain. Thus, if you can imagine a weightlifter that is not performing weight lifting properly, may suffer some form of tendon strain. Often, for example, a skier may fall in such a way as to tear the rotator cuff tendon in their shoulders. That is a common tendon strain.
When you twist your foot, for instance, you are overstretching the Achilles tendon, which is found right above your heel. This tendon is used a tremendous amount as it is what accelerates your body forward when starting a footrace, for example. People have been known to suffer a tendon strain when trying to stand on tiptoe as an example, if they have not kept that particular tendon moving properly prior to the injury.
Depending upon the degree of the injury, tendon strain is treatable in various ways. Immediate surgery is recommendable after snapping a tendon, since this type of injury can cause permanent damage and result in permanent disability if there is no surgery as a medical treatment for this problem.
The application of R.I.C.E. or Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation is a worthwhile treatment for tendon strain in other cases that do not call for surgery. The amount of rest required is highly debatable, since resting too much, without stretching the tendon can cause a foreshortening of the tendon. If this is the case, then it may cause even more medical complications. In order to prevent the likelihood of this occurrence, medical authorities agree that a slow stretching of the tendon should occur a few times daily.
You should never leave ice on the area for more than twenty minutes at a time. You should also cover the area to protect the skin from the direct contact with an ice application. The injured area may have swelling and the ice can help your reduce the amount of swelling that may occur.
The use of compression also limits swelling. It cannot be emphasized enough to not make the compress, through say an ace bandage, too tight.
Elevation is important for limiting swelling as well. However, the elevation of the body part should be above your heart for it to be most effective.
Keeping your range of motion after such an injury is necessary. Again, the injured tendon strain area needs to be very carefully exercised, sometimes while heat is applied if the swelling has gone down completely. Strengthening exercises will eventually follow for complete recovery. - 30453
There are, of course, different degrees of injury to a tendon, the worst being stretching it to the point of tendon rupture. Most people, however, suffer injuries to their tendons by overuse, or perhaps a fall, and of course playing sports.
Excessive force on any tendon whether found in the leg, foot, arm or wrist, for example will cause a tendon strain. Thus, if you can imagine a weightlifter that is not performing weight lifting properly, may suffer some form of tendon strain. Often, for example, a skier may fall in such a way as to tear the rotator cuff tendon in their shoulders. That is a common tendon strain.
When you twist your foot, for instance, you are overstretching the Achilles tendon, which is found right above your heel. This tendon is used a tremendous amount as it is what accelerates your body forward when starting a footrace, for example. People have been known to suffer a tendon strain when trying to stand on tiptoe as an example, if they have not kept that particular tendon moving properly prior to the injury.
Depending upon the degree of the injury, tendon strain is treatable in various ways. Immediate surgery is recommendable after snapping a tendon, since this type of injury can cause permanent damage and result in permanent disability if there is no surgery as a medical treatment for this problem.
The application of R.I.C.E. or Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation is a worthwhile treatment for tendon strain in other cases that do not call for surgery. The amount of rest required is highly debatable, since resting too much, without stretching the tendon can cause a foreshortening of the tendon. If this is the case, then it may cause even more medical complications. In order to prevent the likelihood of this occurrence, medical authorities agree that a slow stretching of the tendon should occur a few times daily.
You should never leave ice on the area for more than twenty minutes at a time. You should also cover the area to protect the skin from the direct contact with an ice application. The injured area may have swelling and the ice can help your reduce the amount of swelling that may occur.
The use of compression also limits swelling. It cannot be emphasized enough to not make the compress, through say an ace bandage, too tight.
Elevation is important for limiting swelling as well. However, the elevation of the body part should be above your heart for it to be most effective.
Keeping your range of motion after such an injury is necessary. Again, the injured tendon strain area needs to be very carefully exercised, sometimes while heat is applied if the swelling has gone down completely. Strengthening exercises will eventually follow for complete recovery. - 30453
About the Author:
Tom Nicholson spends his time helping sufferers of carpal tunnel syndrome. You can follow this link to find out more regarding having asore wrist.
