Tendons bind muscle to bone. They’re made of strong fibers that work with muscle groups to provide stability and strength in your joints.
Unfortunately, tendon injuries are difficult to heal. They typically take much longer and sometimes make it impossible to heal fully without surgical intervention. In addition, tendons aren’t like muscles; they don’t regenerate as quickly.
Tendon injuries affect the range of motion in arms, legs, hands, shoulders, ankles, and other joints. They’re painful and affect stability, sometimes making everyday exercises or movements much more difficult.
However, it is possible to alleviate symptoms and heal many tendon injuries without surgery. Here are some things you can do to bounce back after injuring one of your tendons.
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Get Some Rest
Most tendon injuries are minor tendon tears. However, too many people ignore the pain and other symptoms and continue to stress the hurt tendon. As a result, the tendon tears fully and is much more difficult to heal.
People often report hearing or feeling popping in the joint when they injure a tendon. The sound is likely from fibers in the tendon twisting or snapping. Further stressing the tendon can cause more damage because, once it tears a little, it’s easier for more of the tendon to come apart.
In response, rest is usually the best medicine. Avoid motions that strain the tendon and the surrounding muscles. This will only inflame the area more. In addition, ice, compress, and elevate the injured joint.
Book Some Physical Therapy
Physical therapy is one of the most effective ways to heal a tendon and the surrounding muscle groups. Sometimes, learning how to better support the joint and strengthening the muscles around it can prevent surgery.
An experienced physical therapist can work with injury victims through exercises to increase strength and stability. They can also stretch the injury to rehabilitate the joint slowly. But, again, this takes time. Patients typically must go through several weeks of physical therapy to see meaningful progress that restores function.
PRP Injections
PRP stands for platelet-rich plasma. PRP injections have been used in tendon rehabilitation for decades, and they’re believed to speed up tissue and tendon healing. The injections are made from platelets derived from a person’s blood. Once injected, they speed up tissue regeneration and decrease inflammation.
The main drawback to PRP injections is they tend to be expensive, so not everyone can afford them.
Cryotherapy
Cryotherapy is much more popular today than just ten years ago. Now, you can find a cryotherapy clinic in your neighborhood. Customers step into a cryotherapy chamber where temperatures are below freezing.
Many people believe that extremely low temperatures stimulate blood flow and tissue regeneration. In addition, after an injury, cryotherapy may rally the body’s immune system resources to the area and promote healing. To find out more about how long the effects of cryotherapy last, visit this website: https://colonialsun.com/
Peptides & Tendon Healing
BPC-157 is a Penta-decapeptide composed of 15 amino acids. It’s part of the body protection compound discovered in human gastric juice. Animal studies show that BPC-157 accelerates healing of many wounds, including tendon, muscle, and ligament injuries. In addition, it protects organs and prevents the development of ulcers.
Animal models given BPC-157, for example, saw burns heal faster because the peptide significantly accelerated reticulin and collagen formation. It also increases blood flow to injuries and can be a tool in wound healing management.
See a Doctor When Symptoms Persist
Some minor tendon injuries heal on their own. However, more severe injuries usually require alternative treatments. Otherwise, patients struggle with moving and experience pain. There is also often a loss of strength and stability in the affected joint.
Monitor your symptoms after a tendon injury. If they persist for weeks, you should see a medical professional for their opinion. They’ll likely recommend an MRI to image the injury and assess the damage. You may need surgery to repair the torn tendon and restore full function if necessary.
Take the healing process seriously and slowly. Tendons take much longer than other minor injuries to heal.