TENDON ANATOMY: Cross section of the many elements that make up a tendon.
AustrAliAn triAthlete | 73injury prevenTion
Training TOOLBOX
There are an abundance of tendons
throughout the body, and theoretically
speaking tendinopathy can exist in any
of them. — Zachary Turner
without some aspect of overuse.
One of the main processes leading to
the development of tendinopathy is
repetitive load and excessive tendon
compressive load. It is therefore
important to ensure that tendons that
are under high loads, e.g. Achilles
tendons in runners, are well adapted
and capable of recovering from
such load. This can be achieved with
well-planned training progressions
and specific strengthening of
tendons/muscles.
The treatment and rehabilitation of
tendons has evolved in recent years.
Current literature suggests that activerehab is most beneficial when dealing
with tendon overload. Correct loading of
tendons during their painful phases helps
encourage repair and production of
collagen fibres necessary for recovery.
Given this, the risk of causing further
overload is minimal if correct procedures
are followed.
Without correct and early intervention
and management of tendinopathy this
injury is likely to progress. The progression of
tendinopathy is best described by a
continuum of three injury phases. Tendon
injury may move between stages within this
continuum, and with correct management
the injury may return to previous stages.TENDON
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