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What is the new treatment for tendonitis?

Published in Tendonitis Treatment 3 mins read

The new treatments for tendonitis, often falling under the broader scope of tendinopathy management, focus on addressing both acute inflammation and chronic tendon pain through a variety of innovative approaches. These methods aim to reduce pain, promote healing, and restore function.

Understanding Tendonitis and Tendinopathy

While "tendonitis" traditionally refers to acute inflammation of a tendon, modern medical understanding often uses the term "tendinopathy" to describe the full spectrum of tendon issues, including chronic pain, degeneration, and structural changes. The new treatment options encompass strategies for both acute and persistent tendon problems.

Innovative Non-Surgical Therapies for Tendon Pain

A range of non-surgical interventions has emerged as new options for managing tendon pain, moving beyond traditional rest and ice.

1. Eccentric Exercises

One of the cornerstone treatments, eccentric exercises involve movements where the muscle lengthens under tension (e.g., slowly lowering a weight). These exercises are highly effective because they:

  • Promote structural changes in the tendon, enhancing collagen organization.
  • Strengthen the tendon and muscle unit.
  • Help reduce pain and improve functional capacity over time.

2. Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT)

ESWT uses high-energy acoustic waves delivered to the affected tendon. This non-invasive treatment is believed to:

  • Stimulate healing processes by promoting new blood vessel formation.
  • Break down calcifications in the tendon.
  • Provide pain relief in chronic tendon conditions.

3. Advanced Injection Therapies

A variety of injections are now utilized to manage tendonitis and tendinopathy, each with a specific mechanism of action:

Injection Type Primary Action / Purpose
Corticosteroids Primarily used to reduce inflammation and pain, particularly in acute phases. While effective for short-term relief, their long-term use in tendinopathy is debated due to potential effects on tendon integrity.
Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Prepared from the patient's own blood, PRP is a concentration of platelets that release growth factors. These factors are believed to stimulate and accelerate tissue repair and regeneration.
Autologous Blood Injection Similar to PRP, this involves injecting a small amount of the patient's own blood into the injured tendon area to trigger a natural healing response.
Aprotinin A proteinase inhibitor, aprotinin injections are sometimes used with the aim of inhibiting enzymes that contribute to tendon degradation.
Polidocanol This is a sclerosant that targets and sclerose abnormal new blood vessels (neovascularization) and accompanying nerves often found in chronic, painful tendinopathies, aiming to reduce pain.
High-Volume Injections Involves injecting a large volume of saline or other solutions to physically separate and decompress painful structures around the tendon, such as in the Achilles or patellar tendons.

Surgical Interventions

For cases of severe and chronic tendinopathy that do not respond to conservative treatments, including the advanced non-surgical options, surgical intervention remains a viable new option. Surgical procedures aim to address underlying tendon pathology, remove damaged tissue, and promote a healing environment.