ORTHOPEDIC & SPORTS INJURIES
We Treat Muscle, Bone & Joint Pains and Injuries
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Tendon pains and injuries are very common "bread and butter" conditions that our principal physiotherapists, hand therapists, TCM physicians and massage therapists treat - unfortunately, tendon issues and pains are one of those kind of pains most people will experience at least once in their lives.
For some, tendon injuries and pains may be prolonged, lasting for weeks or even months.
We treat many patients who are worried about their scans and ultrasound findings that suggest they may have degenerative changes in their tendons.
Good news is that research is showing that even for tendons with degeneration, there are plenty of healthy tendons that are capable of being trained, strengthened and exercise and can help the patient recover from their tendon injuries and pains.
This is the #1 concern that patients have - IF their tendon damage will heal or not.
So first, let's dive deeper on the difference between
First, let's talk about physical direct damage.
Of course, 100% tendon tear (medically termed as a full rupture) is technically the worst, and the lesser the degree of tear, the better the situation (ideally no damage preferred heh, but accidents do happen and that's why we're here to help).
To put things in perspective, tendons are unlike muscles, which are rich in blood supply (hence their red color); tendons instead are whitish and have poor blood supply. This means they're really good and strong BUT when they get damaged, they heal slowly due to having poor blood supply (blood carries restorative healing nutrients).
Full tendon tears cannot heal on its own normally (the only exception being a mallet finger that can be treated conservatively with a relatively simple customized anti-mallet splint) and will 100% require surgery.
When a tendon completely tears (100%), patients usually can feel or hear something go "pop" or "snap", followed by lots of swelling and later bruising.
The joint that is attached to the tendon will no longer work normally
For example, a patient with a ruptured biceps tendon will no longer be able to bend their elbow effectively.
Tendinopathy is by far the most common type of tendon injury.
Tendinopathy refers to the tendon being in a state of overload which presents as pain. Contrary to common belief, the tendon is usually not
inflamed and this is why we no longer use the term ‘tendonitis’, as the
‘itis’ means inflammation, which is generally incorrect.
The importance of this distinction is that an inflamed tendon will need some rest, and possibly some anti-inflammatories, to help settle it down before doing any strengthening exercises.
An overloaded tendon in a state of tendinopathy may feel better when resting, the problem will be there waiting for you when you start exercising again.
This is why patients tend to feel frustratedly stuck in a vicious cycle where they rest and then start exercising when their pain has settled, only to find the pain returns and often comes on more easily this time.
This is both confusing and frustrating for patients but can be explained in that the tendon has become weak through resting and disuse and therefore its tolerance to loading has reduced, making it overload more easily.
Therefore, a patient with tendinopathy will respond better to a rehabilitation regime consisting of graduating strengthening exercises that gradually increase the tendon’s tolerance to loading over time.
The take home message here is that if you have tendinopathy, then your tendon does not need rest, it will need a graduated strengthening program usually over an 8-12 (give or take) week period.
It is important that these exercises are prescribed by our principal physiotherapists and hand therapists with specific expertise in treating tendon problems.
Tendonitis occurs when a tendon becomes inflamed.
Patients may experience on-off swelling too. Tendinitis is more rare and the more accurate term tendinopathy is used nowadays for a tendon injury that does not involve a torn tendon [see above].
Whether there is inflammation or not, the tendon has been overloaded and needs activity modification and then will likely also need to be strengthened to allow it to tolerate the exercise which caused the overload in the first place.
Therefore, tendonitis is treated as tendinopathy.
A graduated exercise program is the best way to avoid tendon problems.
Tendon injuries result when
exceeds the specific's tendon tolerance for load.
Tendon tolerance to load is dependent on your activity profile.
Whose achilles tendon has higher tendon load?
It's more likely Person A, as their achilles tendon have been more conditioned to take more load and force over a period of time.
This also means that if person B decided to take up running, they would need to gradually increase their running distances to reduce the likelihood of overloading their tendon.
Other less common causes of tendon injuries include
Most tendon injuries can be diagnosed in the clinic by an appropriately skilled clinician - our principal physiotherapists and hand therapists can do it, but we prefer that you consult an orthopedic surgeon or sports doctor just in case they want to order an imaging (MRI, X-Ray or ultrasound) to have more clarity.
If ultrasound imaging is done, we recommend patients do BOTH left and right side ultrasound (even if only one side is painful) so that we can compare what is normal and what isn't. Of course, we may find some tendinopathy on the unaffected (or less painful side) which then points that it has overloaded the tendon from
causing the patient to experience pain.
MRI is also sometimes used, especially if a full tear (rupture) of the tendon is suspected. Severe weakness in a tendon is suggestive of a large tear or rupture.
Tendon treatment varies depending on the type of injury.
Patients should anticipate an 8-12 week program, but for longstanding tendon problems, it can take 6 months to build up the appropriate strength due to the level of deconditioning that may be present initially.
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Phoenix Rehab Group works with specialist physiotherapists and rehab therapists who are highly trained, qualified, experienced and passionate to provide high level of expert care to our patients.
HAND THERAPY & CUSTOMIZED SPLINTING
Patients who sustained injuries to their elbows, forearms, hands, wrists (sprains and fractures) and fingers, usually will benefit / require Hand Therapy to
Commonly treated hand pain injuries includes
REFORMER CLINICAL PILATES & WELLNESS PILATES
Clinical Pilates is a form of physical exercise that focuses on posture, core stability, balance, control, strength, flexibility and breathing.
It is a system of safe and effective exercises, which meet specific individual needs, to treat a wide range of injuries and conditions.
You may do Pilates as matwork or with the reformer or both, and every session will be customized 100% to your fitness, injury and tolerance.
TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINE (TCM)
DEEP TISSUE RELEASE & SPORTS MASSAGE THERAPY
Sports and deep tissue release massage helps to increase nutrient-rich blood flow to tired, tight and tense muscles to accelerate recovery and shorten downtime / recovery period required.
It also prevents muscles from scar tissue micro-tears (and potential ruptures), and increases muscle performance. Having regular deep tissue and sports massage will keep your muscles healthy and fit with body/movement-confidence.
Read the benefits of regular deep tissue release therapy here.
ALTERNATIVE THERAPIES
All our allied health therapists and TCM physicians are fully insured and registered with Allied Health Professions Council (AHPC) and Traditional Chinese Medicine Board (TCMB).
See our entire team here with introductions and their specializations.
At the first session, our specialist physiotherapists will carry out a thorough assessment, helping them to select the most appropriate treatment to help you recover as well as provide treatment in the same session.
Follow up sessions are inline to provide expert treatment for your pain as well as prescribing specific exercises to reduce your risk of re-injury and giving you a long term solution.
We appreciate you as our valued clients and want you to know that the # 1 way we grow as a clinic / brand is through word of mouth referrals from valued patients like yourself.
We prefer not to rely on advertising - instead, we prefer and appreciate the goodwill and positive reinforcement from patients. When you have the chance, please tell your family, friends and physicians about the positive results and experience you have had in our physio clinics.
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Feb 03, 22 04:05 AM
Achilles tendon pain is very common among recreational and elite sportspeople. But it is also common among sedentary individuals
Feb 03, 22 12:16 AM
Tendonitis, tendinopathy and tendinosis are all tendon injuries and treated by physiotherapists and hand therapists
Jan 11, 22 02:01 AM
Cervical spondylosis is a general term to describe the degenerative condition in the neck which results in pain and other symptoms
Jan 07, 22 12:28 AM
Tendinopathy (tendon injuries) can develop in any tendon of the body and has many names such as tendinitis and it can be treated with good tendon physiotherapy
Dec 15, 21 01:47 AM
Tendon problems are common in runners and can become a persistent issue if not properly treated.
Dec 14, 21 11:23 PM
Pain and pathology in a tendon, known as tendinopathy, is a common injury in athletes that can be difficult to manage. Physio and hand therapy can help healing
Dec 07, 21 01:31 AM
We use the world’s best tendon recovery programs through cutting edge treatment techniques for all tendon injuries (and tendon injuries differ accordingly)
Nov 28, 21 12:08 AM
Phoenix Rehab Physiotherapy and Hand Therapy at Tampines Singapore
Nov 17, 21 12:30 AM
Mallet finger is an injury to the thin tendon that straightens the end joint of a finger or thumb.
Nov 16, 21 11:27 PM
Tendon injuries are extremely common and chances are that most people will experience one at some point in their life