Tendon Pain

Tendons are composed of connective tissues and strong collagen fibres. They attach muscle to bone. They have fewer blood vessels than muscle and therefore have a much slower healing ability. Tendon pain arises from dysfunction of these tissues, typically tendinitis, tendinosis and tendon tears. They occur as a consequence of tendon overload from exercise and activity. This is often from poorly structured training programs or improper biomechanics. They can occasionally occur from trauma, medication or hormone imbalance. 

Tendon pain is often low level and ignored by many patients for months. Early diagnosis is imperative as untreated tendons will often degenerate over time and this can result in poor prognosis.

Common conditions:

• Tennis/golfers elbow
• Rotator cuff
• Achilles/Plantar fascia
• Patellar tendon
• Glute tendinitis(bursitis)
• De Quervains
• Hamstring 
• Calcific tendinosis

Here at Eastwest we specialise in tendon care and rehabilitation. We perform full body assessment screening for nerve irritation, myofascial imbalances, abnormal biomechanics, muscle weakness and will provide custom orthotics if necessary.

Our primary treatment for tendon damage is Shockwave therapy in conjunction with an appropriate exercise program. Shockwave is a mechanical sound wave that stimulates tissue healing. This occurs through increasing blood circulation to the affected tissue, desensitising peripheral nerves and reducing neurogenic inflammation. It can stimulation a stem cell response in tendon and substantially reduces the time for the tendon to heal. Research suggests shockwave has an approximately 85% success rate (Wang et al. 2003). We provide an individualised exercise program to strengthen the tendon, restore normal function and return to daily activities.