Lower Limb Tendinoptahy

What do we know?
- Tendinopathy is the new term for “tendonitis” as it has been found not to be inflammatory
- Tendon problems are common andup to 10% of the running population may get Achilles tendinopathy
- It is not an inflammatory condition. It is a degenerative overuse condition
- It requires patience and persistence to resolve the tendinopathy
History?
- Initially it is a problem in the morning and at the beginning of activity. As the condition worsens, the pain will interfere with and ultimately limit activity
- The factors that lead to overuse include exercise load, poor technique/equipment and abnormal biomechanics, thus any management program must look at these factors
Rehabilitation
- Eccentric exercise has been shown to be effective
- Muscle strength/flexibility imbalance must be restored
- Footwear and biomechanical assessment
Medications
- Green tea
- Nitrate patches
Adjuvant therapies
- Polidocanol injections
- Prolotherapy injections
- Shockwave therapy
Surgery
- 70-90% success rates. Not recommended in the initial phase of treatment
Don’t forget
- Tendon problems are common to get on both sides, so treatment of the other side at the same time is recommended

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