Tendon care and sports orthopaedics for an active everyday life

We want to know what you do and what you would like to do again. How often do you train? Which movement triggers your symptoms? Have the amount, intensity or breaks changed? The same relationships matter for demands at work or at home. A precise description of an activity often helps more than simply saying you move a lot. Your circumstances remain important. An extensive exercise programme is of little use if you cannot fit it into daily life. Please be open about the time, support or equipment available to you and anything you are unsure about. This helps us develop more realistic next steps together. The physical examination brings this information together with assessments of movement, strength and selected functional tests. Where there is a relevant question, ultrasound can provide information about tendons and other soft tissues, including during suitable movements. If needed, we arrange further MRI or CT imaging externally. Not every pain experienced during exercise requires every diagnostic test.

Adapted movement forms part of treatment for many longer-standing tendon irritations. Activities that particularly aggravate symptoms are adjusted initially, and suitable exercises are built up gradually. Prolonged complete immobilisation is usually not a good substitute. This does not, however, apply without assessment to a recent rupture or another acute injury. We discuss with you what the gradual increase in activity should aim to achieve. In everyday life this may mean carrying things reliably; in sport, a particular movement or duration of training. Loading can then be assessed against a clear task. Less pain alone does not answer every question about returning to full activity. The exercises and progression that make sense depend on the affected structure and progress so far, among other factors. Physiotherapy guidance can help you learn movements safely. We avoid standardised exercise plans for every tendon problem. If symptoms increase significantly or new limitations develop, the approach should be reviewed rather than increasing activity purely according to a timetable.

Depending on the findings, other measures may be considered alongside advice on movement and exercise. These may include medication for pain relief, orthopaedic aids or additional physical therapies. We explain the role of each measure in relation to your problem. It should serve a clear purpose, such as making a specific activity easier for a time. Our practice offers radial and focused shockwave therapy. ACP/PRP is also available. This does not amount to a general recommendation for tendon problems: benefits, uncertainties and risks differ by diagnosis and procedure. You can find a more detailed assessment on the individual treatment pages. In the consultation, we consider whether an additional treatment appears worthwhile compared with the alternatives. Massage for myogeloses, or localised areas of muscle tightness, is also part of our physical therapy services. This does not automatically make massage a treatment for a tendon disorder. Additional procedures do not automatically replace a necessary, jointly planned gradual return to activity.

Tendon symptoms can require patience. Even so, we want to help you recognise progress. Is a particular everyday movement becoming easier? Can you manage the load more effectively? Are new symptoms developing? Your feedback helps us adapt the approach. If there is no improvement, we review with you whether the assessment so far is sufficient and which other factors need consideration. These may include the actual demands placed on the tendon, other conditions or new examination findings. Further specialist or surgical assessment may also become relevant. A non-surgical approach should not exclude other care when there is a sound reason for it.

Use ‘Appointments & enquiries’ and describe the affected area, how long you have had symptoms and the activity you would like to return to. Existing reports and a list of previous treatments help us prepare. If the digital route does not suit you, discuss your needs with us by telephone. Please bring any recommendation for a particular treatment from another service to your medical consultation. Following a recommendation in our own consultation, we agree the appropriate route for your next appointment. You do not need to choose a procedure before contacting us for the first time.