Why a tendon specialist?

 

Core Physio’s tendon injury clinic has gained an excellent reputation amongst patients and peers. Providing a first-class, highly specialised clinic for those suffering from tendon pain, particularly tendon pain which is not improving with conservative care.

We treat elite and recreational athletes, from Premiership footballers to cross-fitters, but also those who lead a more sedentary lifestyle.

We are trusted by world-renowned surgeons and sports medicine consultants to treat their patients and engage them on the road to recovery.

Tendon Injury Clinic

We understand that many upper and lower limb tendinopathies such as tennis elbow, hamstring tendonitis, or Achilles tendinopathy are slow to improve and frustrating for many. In addition, it can be difficult to find practitioners who have experience in making a correct diagnosis and recommending an expert course of treatment.

Generally, a tendon clinic assessment consists of a detailed history of your tendon pain. In addition, factors that have led to the development of the tendon problem such as training errors or biomechanical factors are explored. Finally, we develop a management plan tailored to your needs. We also use imaging such as ultrasound at the time to help with diagnosis.

bothwell ultrasound scan

Type of tendon problems

The diagnosis of tendon complaints varies according to the anatomy of the tendon.

  1. Tendinopathy:

If you have been diagnosed with tendinopathy but are not improving, then you may have a tear. We would advise you to make an appointment to have an ultrasound scan.

Common site of tendinopathy:

  • Rotator cuff tendinopathy
  • Tennis elbow (common extensor tendinopathy)
  • Golfer’s elbow (common flexor tendinopathy)
  • Patellar tendinopathy
  • Mid-portion Achilles tendinopathy
  • Insertional Achilles tendinopathy
  • Plantar fasciitis
  • Proximal hamstring

  1. Tendon rupture

Ruptures are usually caused by an acute/traumatic incident, involving a partial or complete tear of the tendon fibres.

Common site of tendon ruptures or tears:

  • Shoulder/Rotator cuff (supraspinatus, subscapularis, infraspinatus)
  • Achilles and plantaris
  • Elbow – distal biceps
  • Proximal hamstring
  • Plantar fascia

  1. Calcific tendinopathy

Calcific tendinopathy or “calcium hydroxyapatite crystal deposition disease”, refers to the deposition of calcium (bone) in a tendon. This can be following trauma or occur with no obvious reason.

Common sites for calcific tendinopathy:

  • Shoulder – rotator cuff calcification (particularly the supraspinatus tendon)
  • Achilles tendon
  • Elbow – ‘tennis’ and ‘golfers’ elbow

    4. Tenosynovitis

This is when the pain is caused by inflammation in the tissue surrounding the tendon, known as the synovial sheath. When this sheath becomes inflamed it is known as tenosynovitis. These are very painful conditions and can be involved in other conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis.

Specialist Tendon Clinic

The management of these distinct tendon categories is significantly different; therefore, it is essential you obtain the correct diagnosis.

In some cases, these diagnostic categories can overlap and co-exist. For example, it is not uncommon to have a ‘tendinopathy’ with a tendon ‘tear’.

Tendon problems are very common musculoskeletal conditions, and they can affect many different areas of the body, both the upper and lower limbs. It is essential that you get the right diagnosis, treatment and management to optimise your recovery.

If you would like to discuss your tendon pain before booking in, please call 01698 540380 or email enquiries@core-physio.org and one of our tendon specialists will contact you to discuss.

Alternatively book online here