Patients who suffer from chronic tendon pain now have a minimally invasive treatment option that uses high-frequency sound waves—or ultrasounds—to remove damaged and scarred tissue that causes painful tendons.
Before this procedure, called Percutaneous Tenotomy, patients who didn't respond to conservative therapy had to undergo invasive surgery with a long, debilitating healing process.
Tendons are dense fibers that attach the muscle to bone. They're found in many areas, such as wrists, elbows, shoulders, knees, and heels.
Tendonitis is the inflammation that causes discomfort and tenderness in joints and other areas. It usually comes from overuse of a body part, and while it can happen to people of any age, it becomes more common upon reaching middle age.
Although a sudden injury can cause tendonitis, the condition is more likely to stem from repeating a particular movement over time.
Most people develop tendonitis because their jobs or hobbies involve repetitive motions, which stress the tendons.
Proper technique is essential when performing repetitive sports movements or job-related activities.
Improper technique can overload the tendon—which can occur, for example, with tennis elbow—and lead to tendonitis.
Tendonitis is an inflammation or irritation of a tendon—the thick fibrous cords that attach muscle to bone. This condition causes severe pain and tenderness just outside a joint.
Some common names for various tendonitis problems are:
Tennis elbow is a chronic condition caused by microtears in the common extensor tendon, located on the outside of the elbow. Symptoms include discomfort outside the elbow, inflammation, numbness, and tenderness.
Jumper's knee is a chronic condition caused by degeneration in the patellar tendon, which connects the patella to the shin bone.
A chronic condition caused by microtears in the common flexor tendon, located on the inside of the elbow. Symptoms may include pain on the inside of the elbow, inflammation, numbness, and tenderness.
A chronic condition that is caused by inflammation in the plantar fascia, the flat band of connective tissues that connect the heel bone to the toes. Symptoms of plantar fasciitis include pain, swelling, and inflammation; pain when getting out of bed is a classic symptom of plantar fasciitis.
A chronic condition associated with discomfort and swelling in the Achilles tendon, which connects the calf muscle to the heel bone. Symptoms include pain, swelling, and inflammation in the back of the heel.
Most cases of tendonitis can be successfully treated with rest, physical therapy, and medications for pain relief. You may need surgery if the tendonitis is severe and leads to a tendon rupture.
When the tissue is exposed to ultrasound waves, the sound waves cause a micro-vibration in the tissue. This vibration produces heat energy that increases the blood flow in the area. This increased blood flow increases the oxygen and chemicals essential for healing the damaged tissue.
As well as increasing the blood flow, ultrasound has the additional effect of speeding up the transportation of chemicals from the blood into the damaged tissue to aid the healing of the tissue. This helps with the building of new tissue and also helps to ensure the proper alignment of the tissue fibers to ensure full strength and flexibility are restored.
The result is that ultrasound technology helps the body heal, build new tissues, and relieve pain, most quickly and effectively.
Therapeutic ultrasound technology can help in pain relief.
The ultrasound waves also relax tight muscles while healing your body's deep tissues. Tight muscles can connect back to the cause of your discomfort.
You should know that the physical therapist in charge of your ultrasound therapy can also make a difference. Ultrasound therapy prepares your muscles for added treatments.
This can make treatments more effective in reducing discomfort.
Musculoskeletal conditions are the second-largest contributor to disabilities worldwide.
Musculoskeletal discomfort occurs when there is damage to your muscle tissue structure. While natural wear and tear can cause damage, trauma makes an impact, too. That includes:
Repetitive movements and prolonged immobilization can cause this pain, too.
Ultrasound therapy gives your tissues the thermal energy they need to relieve tension in the tissue. In fact, ultrasound waves affect the metabolism of soft tissue cells. When the ultrasound increases the blood flow, it makes the cells more receptive to healing fluids.
As a result, therapeutic ultrasounds might also help promote tissue healing process.
An increase in blood flow can help reduce swelling around the injured area. It reduces chronic inflammation associated with several health issues (including arthritis).
Instead of generating thermal energy, this gets your blood pumping to relieve pain.
Ultrasound therapy penetrates deep to relax deeper musculature or joint tissues in the affected area.
The machine's soundwaves cause the tissues to vibrate. This generates heat while increasing friction down to a molecular level. Then, the targeted tissues rise in temperature.
The acoustic effect produced by ultrasound therapy creates micro-vibrations. These affect the fibers that cause scar tissue formation.
Breaking down scar tissues can help increase your range of motion. It also allows you to maintain that range of motion for longer relief.
To reduce your chance of developing tendonitis, follow these suggestions:
Avoid activities that put excess stress on your tendons, especially for long periods. If you notice discomfort during a particular exercise, discontinue and rest.
If a certain exercise or activity causes you persistent pain, try something else. Cross-training can help you combine an impact-loading exercise, such as running, with lower impact exercise, like biking or swimming.
If your technique for an activity or exercise is flawed, you could set yourself up for tendon problems. Consider taking lessons or getting professional instructions before starting a new sport or using certain exercise equipment.
Take time after exercise to stretch to maximize the range of motion of your joints. This can help minimize repetitive trauma on tight tissues.
Get an ergonomic evaluation of your workspace and adjust your chair, keyboard, and desktop according to your height, arm length, and usual tasks. This helps protect all your joints and tendons from excessive stress.
Strengthening muscles typically used in your activity or sport can help them withstand stress and load better.
Call your doctor when you have a significant joint problem, such as severe discomfort, redness or swelling, or loss of joint function. Also, contact your doctor if less-severe joint discomfort persists.
When you experience joint problems, it is essential to seek medical care. Our physical therapist can examine your condition and determine the type of physical therapy treatment that is best for you.
The sooner you seek medical attention, the more likely it is to be resolved with minimal medication and simple modifications to the way you work.
If you suffer from tendonitis, you know how debilitating the pain can be. Fortunately, therapeutic ultrasound technology is a modern intervention used to treat tendon problems and other medical conditions safely and effectively.
Are you suffering from tendonitis? Schedule an ultrasound treatment appointment with our physical therapist at (813) 443-5370 or visit www.palmwellness.center.
