How do I Treat a Strained Tendon?

Tendons are tissues that connect muscles to bones, and they can become strained when overused or overstretched. A strained tendon will cause pain in the affected area, as well as weakness, swelling, and general discomfort. Treatment is not difficult, but it requires patience, as the tendon can take several days or even weeks to heal fully. The first steps involved in treating a strained tendon include the RICE treatment; RICE stands for Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation. If pain persists after such treatment, you may consult a doctor who can in turn prescribe painkilling medications or anti-inflammatory medications to help reduce swelling.

Resting the strained tendon is the key to the treatment process. The tendons will heal themselves in most cases, so resting the injured area allows that natural healing to occur. Exercising or otherwise putting a load on the tendon too quickly can risk re-injury or exacerbation of the current injury. The injured area should be elevated if possible to help reduce swelling, and compression bandages can be used to help keep swelling down as well. Icing the injury shortly after it occurs can help keep swelling down and reduce pain significantly. These steps may be necessary for several days or weeks, depending on the severity of the injury.

Once the strained tendon has healed sufficiently, you can begin doing light stretching exercises to ensure the tendons do not tighten up too much. Tight tendons are more likely to strain and tear, so ensuring the tendons are conditioned and stretched properly can help prevent future injuries. Exercising regularly can also help strengthen the tendons and the muscles; stronger muscles are less likely to tire quickly, and when muscles tire, they tend to tighten. Tight muscles are more at risk for injury, so regular exercise can help prevent injuries to tendons and muscles in the future.

If the pain associated with the strained tendon is persistent, contact a doctor. The doctor may prescribe painkilling medications or anti-inflammatory medications to help alleviate the pain, and if the pain still persists, the doctor may recommend further action. In very extreme cases, a doctor may recommend surgery to repair a damaged tendon, though this course of action is generally reserved for only the most severe injuries and is not recommended for most injuries because surgery may or may not actually fix the problem. It can, in fact, cause other problems and prolong the recovery time significantly.