Therapists use different approaches and techniques to treat various musculoskeletal issues. Rehabilitation and therapy techniques cater to specific injuries and disabilities. Therapy also takes into consideration age, condition and prognosis, as well as individual patient goals. For example, therapy for a torn or damaged tendon may be completely different from therapy for a condition like arthritis.
Definition
Tendinosis is inflammation of a tendon that refuses to heal. Tendons function as the attachment mechanism for muscles to bone. Tendinosis is usually limited to one part of the body, such as one tendon in the wrist, a knee or the thumb.
Arthritis is inflammation of a joint. Joints such as the wrists, knees or fingers involve two or more bones that may rub together, causing pain, stiffness and swelling in the joint and surrounding tissues.
Exercise
Doctors encourage exercise for arthritis. Exercise helps strengthen joints, increase flexibility, and enhance range of motion and function of a joint. Those diagnosed with an injured, torn or otherwise damaged tendon, however, may not be able to exercise the injured area due to pain or inability to move the joint.
Movement
Exercise, movement and activity increase joint function for those diagnosed with arthritis. Activities like walking, biking, swimming and strength training help maintain joint flexibility and strength. Movement is the focal point of such therapy approaches. If you've been diagnosed with tendinosis, limit your exercise activities to very gentle and very small stretching movements only after the tendon has healed. Gradually progress in intensity and duration of stretches to types of resistance training using resistance bands or tubes.
Strengthening
Weight-bearing exercise also helps strengthen the muscles, tendons and ligaments in the affected arthritic joint. Use resistance bands or tubes, dumbbells, or gym equipment like barbells and cable machines for strengthening and weight-bearing exercises. Those with tendinosis should avoid such strengthening therapies until some tendon strength and function is restored. The difficulty with approaching such a therapy with tendinosis is that the tendon is very slow in healing, or refuses to heal altogether unless the tendon receives complete rest, sometimes for extended periods of time. This affects your ability to strengthen and exercise the affected area.
