Tag Archives: tendinitis

Shoulder Injuries, Shoulder pain, Sports Injuries, Sports Physiotherapy

Rotator Cuff Tendinitis: Are You Treating it Properly?

April 29,2024 Sharon Tierney Leave a comment

What is the rotator cuff?

The rotator cuff is made up of a group of 4 muscles which control shoulder movements in all directions. Each rotator cuff muscle takes part in a slightly different anatomical shoulder movement like flexion, abduction, or rotation. In addition, they are all used in combination for movements like sport=specific movements. For example, in overhead, throwing, and racket sports such as badminton, tennis, volleyball and basketball.

The 4 muscles involved in the rotator cuff are as follows:
1) Supraspinatus
2) Infraspinatus
3) Teres major, teres minor
4) Subscapularis

What is rotator cuff tendinitis?

Rotator cuff tendinitis usually means there has been overuse/repetitive strain of the one of the tendons or group of tendons of the muscles listed above. As a result, inflammation has developed in that tendon, causing pain and loss of function. This condition may start as mild pain at the beginning but if left ignored and untreated, can worsen quickly and affect your ability to participate in sports.

How do I know if I have this condition?

The following are a list of the most common signs and symptoms:

1) Pain, discomfort, soreness, tightness with shoulder movement
2) Certain angles of shoulder movement reliably recreate the sharp pain. E.g. picking up a glass of water, overhead activities, reaching the arm backwards to put a jacket on
3) Stiffness in shoulder, especially in the morning
4) Sleeping discomfort while sleep on the affected side
5) Swelling in or around the shoulder
6) All overhead activities- painful, sharp pain and may radiate pain down the arm

If this list matches your symptoms, we recommend coming in to be assessed by a health care professional. Our physiotherapists are experts with shoulder pain and can help you understand your condition.

Is it possible to prevent tendonitis?

Yes, proactive and mindful care/training can reduce your chances of developing tendonitis.

Regular stretches and a proper warmup before playing sports always helps in prevention of injuries. There are various kinds of stretches to choose from like static, dynamic, yoga, deep tissue or foam roller stretches. Additionally, strengthening exercises and mobility work of the shoulder and thoracic spine are essential. The muscles must be strong enough to keep up with the high amount of force they withstand during play. Finally, ensuring that you are taking sufficient rest is equally as important. Many injuries are the result of increasing activity levels too quickly and the body fails to adapt.

How is rotator cuff tendinitis treated?

Taping may be a part of treatment for rotator cuff tendinitis

Rotator cuff tendinitis is best treated conservatively, with the help of a physiotherapist. While some people may benefit from medical intervention, most people are successful with athletic rehabilitation and sports therapy.

1) Rest: Avoiding over-exercising will prevent the condition from worsening and allow the muscles to recover and helps in healing.

2) Stretching: Stretching the major shoulder joint muscles can reduce the stress on the rotator cuff and also increases the flexibility of the muscles.

3) Modalities: Electrotherapy like TENS, IFC and/or ultrasound will help reduce pain and inflammation.

4) Pendulum exercise: This helps in preventing shoulder stiffness by increasing space at the joint and also maintains the mobility of the joint. This can be modified with adding more weight like carrying a dumbbell in your hand while performing it.

5) Joint mobilization: Working on the shoulder joint can reduce inflammation, pain, and help improve range and quality of motion of the shoulder.

6) Range of motion exercises: Various ROM exercises with or without assistance, depending on pain levels and current function ex. with the help of a cane, wall, or pulley to off weight the arm and help regain lost ROM in the shoulder.

7) Strengthening training: Depending on the specific condition or based on an individual’s current strength, resistance training can be done using weights and resistance bands to strengthen the rotator cuff.

Man completing exercises for rotator cuff tendinitis rehabilitation

Light dumbbells are often used to train specific muscles around the rotator cuff

8) Functional training: This includes working on the daily activities you may have trouble with, such as lifting a bag or throwing a ball using proper shoulder mechanics. This type of training prepares you to return to your normal activities, including preparing for return to sport.

Looking for athletic therapy?

Whether it’s your shoulder or another injury limiting your ability to participate, PhysioNow can help! We offer sports physiotherapy for athletes, with experience treating a wide variety of sports injuries. Our sport physiotherapists are ready to help you get back into play. Book with PhysioNow today for your first assessment and treatment!

Foot Pain Management Mississauga, Foot Pain Treatment Mississauga, General Category, Shockwave Therapy

What You Should Know About Your Achilles Tendinitis

March 6,2024 Sharon Tierney Leave a comment

What is the Achilles tendon?

The Achilles tendon is one of the strongest tendons in the human body. Anatomically, it connects our calf muscles to the back of the heel bone. Its main action is to point the toes and ankle downwards when our foot is off the ground or raise the heel off the ground when our foot is on the ground.

Functionally, it is used whenever we are engaged in walking, running, or hopping-like activities and helps us with force production and shock absorption. The tendon is extremely strong and can withstand high amounts of stress Unfortunately, this can also predispose it to injury and cause ankle pain.

Stages of Achilles tendon injuries

Diagram showing the different stages of Achilles tendon problems

1) Achilles tendinitis: Inflammation has developed or is developing in the tendon.

2) Achilles tendinosis: There is now degeneration along with or as a byproduct of the inflammation. This is usually an issue that takes a long time to occur. For example, if an Achilles tendinitis is left untreated for months, it can eventually transition into the tendinosis.

3) Achilles tendon tear or rupture: As the tendon fibers are weakened from the tendinosis, it increases the chance that they can tear entirely.

What is Achilles tendinitis?

Achilles tendinitis means inflammation has developed in the tendon. Potentially, due to overuse of the tendon or a trauma like a fall or sport injury. Inflammation is the human body’s natural and healthy reaction to any kind of injury or disease. However, when it lasts for too long it can start to have negative effects. The inflammation can be rated as minimally painful to severely painful. At this last stage is where a patient’s walking ability can be compromised.

Causes of Achilles tendinitis:

1) Trauma: Direct trauma on ankle during car accident, fall etc

2) Running, dancing, jumping: Constant high impact movements increase the risk of injuring the Achilles tendon

3) Flat feet: Having flat feet may change the weight distribution in the foot and put extra pressure on the tendon

4) Playing Sports: Playing less frequent sports does not allow their body to take pressure regularly and increases the chances of injury

5) Heavy standing job: Constant being on feet increase the chances of injury

6) Bony spur in heel / Plantar Fasciitis/ Ankle fracture:
Extra fluid from swelling or bony protrusions in the ankle can rub against the tendon causing an injury.

7) Calf, knee, or hip muscles weakness:
Muscle strength imbalances can cause compensations in the tendon and increase the stress it is exposed to.

Sign and symptoms of Achilles tendinitis:

1) Pain and inflammation in back of heel bone
2) Stiffness and tenderness in ankle
3) More pain after any strenuous activity
4) Leg weakness
5) Worse in the morning, might improve as day goes by

Diagnosis

Book your assessment with a registered physiotherapist. They will assess your posture, leg alignment, range of motion of joints, muscular strength and determine the source of your pain.

Additionally, diagnosis may be achieved through imaging like Diagnostic Ultrasounds and MRIs.

How do I treat it?

In the beginning, non-invasive therapy will help to treat the condition.

1) RICE protocol

Rest: Stop doing activities that stress your tendon. Switch to low-impact activities, such as swimming, that put less stress on the Achilles tendon.

Icing: Put ice on your tendon for up to 20 minutes, as needed throughout the day.

Compression: Compress, or put pressure on, the tendon using an athletic wrap or medical tape.

Elevation: To reduce swelling, lie down and raise your foot on pillows so it’s above the level of your heart.

2) Shockwave therapy:

Shockwave therapy can be an effective treatment for this condition.

Shockwave therapy may help improve the condition, especially for stubborn conditions that have lasted over 6 weeks.

3) Physiotherapy:

Muscle release, stretching and strengthening exercises will help improve the tendinitis.

4) Orthotics:

Proper footwear and the use of custom orthotics will help support the foot and ankle, putting less stress on the tendon.

Achilles pain? Look for PhysioNow!

If you are looking for treatment for your Achilles pain, or any other type of foot, ankle, or sport injury, look no further. PhysioNow has many expert Registered Physiotherapists prepared to help you with diagnosis, treatment, orthotics, bracing, shockwave therapy and more. With locations across Burlington, Oakville, Mississauga , and Etobicoke we have you covered. Book PhysioNow today for your first assessment and treatment.