Tendonitis is described as an overuse ailment affecting a tendon that fastens muscles to bone. It is important to note that the inflammation which manifests after sustaining a pulled tendon can disturb the neighboring muscles, bursa or joints. The commonly affected areas for strains or pulls that cause tendonitis include the wrist, shoulder rotator cuff, elbow, forearm and Achilles tendon in the heel. The remedies for the pain and swelling are similar for all injuries but the degree of treatment required depends on the extent of the tendon strain.
Taking a rest from exercise
A pulled tendon can manifest if an individual engages in chronic repetitive movements such as used in certain occupations such as carpentry, data entry jobs as well as sports. It is vital to rest right after sustaining an overuse injury. The individual should take a break from the activity immediately to alleviate further strain on the tendon.
Taking a break from exercise or activity provides pain relief for tendonitis as well as promoting the healing process. The resting period should continue while the swelling and pain are still present.
Hot and cold therapy
During the initial 2-3 days after the onset of the symptoms of tendonitis, cold therapy should be used to manage the swelling. By suppressing the inflammation, it helps relieve the pain and encourages the affected tendon to heal.
Later in the recovery period, hot therapy before stretching should be used or when the muscle and tendon aches still persist. There are reusable gel packs that can be chilled for cold applications and microwaved for hot applications. The individual should apply both hot and cold for about 20 minutes at a time.
Pain medications
It is important to note that tendonitis can cause intense pain especially during movement. In case pain medications such as aspirin or ibuprofen could not effectively regulate the pain, the doctor might provide an anti-inflammatory such as cortisone.
Support aids
When the individual starts to return to mobility or when immobilizing the pulled tendon for pain relief, site-specific support aids can be used. A hard cast or splint can be prescribed by the doctor to relieve the stress on the tendon while at the same time promote the healing process.
In some cases, a sling can provide better support for tendonitis that affects the rotator cuff. As for Achilles tendonitis, the individual can use crutches or a cane to help take off the weight from the affected leg.
Returning to activity or exercise
There are various ways to aid the recovery of the affected tendon through exercise, but any method must take place in a gradual manner. In most cases, simple range of motion stretches for flexibility is started. The individual should gently stretch the pulled tendon to warm them up before an exercise routine. The workouts should have a steady increase in intensity to help strengthen the affected tendon.