Tendon damage and injuries
What are tendons?
Tendons are fibrous structures that are an extension of muscles. Their role is to transmit the force of muscle contraction to the bones. They are composed of dense connective tissue and are characterized by minimal elasticity - they can elongate by about 4% of their length. The largest tendon in the human body is the Achilles tendon. There are various types of tendons in our body, including: cylindrical, wide, flattened, and flat, with their shape most often adapted to the structure of the muscle they extend from.
Tendon damage and injuries
Tendon strain
Straining is the mildest form of tendon damage. It involves damaging fibers to a small extent. Symptoms accompanying tendon strain include primarily: pain, swelling around the damaged area, bruising. Straining occurs during excessive physical exertion and during the recovery period (usually taking a few days), it is advisable to refrain from activity.
Tendon tear
Tendon tear involves a deeper structural damage - a greater number of fibers are torn during an injury. In the case of a tear, the injury typically occurs during excessive strain as well. Tendon tear is characterized by immediate pain at the site of injury, along with swelling and inflammation. It is important to remember to be cautious of overstraining the affected area during physical activities in the future, as the tendon will remain more susceptible to injuries.
Tendon rupture
Complete rupture of tendon fibers is the most advanced form of injury to this structure. There are two types of tendon rupture: direct trauma - where a strong impact occurs directly on the tense tendon, indirect trauma - occurring during a sudden contraction of the tendon.
Treatment
In cases of tendon injuries with severe pain symptoms, a visit to a specialist is necessary. After a detailed medical history and appropriate tests (e.g. ultrasound of the damaged area), the specialist can determine whether the tendon has only been torn or completely ruptured. A serious tendon injury (e.g. rupture) may require surgery. For milder injuries, regenerative therapy with platelet-rich plasma is highly effective, supporting structure rebuilding and accelerating regenerative processes. Undoubtedly, for this type of injury, rehabilitation is worth considering.
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The cost of services related to the treatment of tendon injuries and other services can be found in our price list.