How PhysioFunction can help with Muscle therapy for Tendon & Ligament Injury

Our team of MSK Physiotherapists, Sports Therapists and Personal Trainers can provide a comprehensive assessment and treatment plan. Each plan is specifically designed to meet the needs of the individual and may include:

• Stretching and flexibility exercises
• Strength training
• Ultrasound heat therapy to improve blood circulation, which may aid the healing process
• Deep massage to boost flexibility and circulation
• Endurance activities, such as riding a stationary bike
• Balance training
• Use of technology including AlterG de-weighted treadmill, Galileo whole body vibration plate and Desmotec D-Line and V-Line eccentric training devices
• Access to standard gym equipment

Muscles, tendons and ligaments are soft tissues within our bodies which perform movement and aid stability.

Muscles

Muscles come in three forms: skeletal, cardiac and smooth. The cardiac muscle is found in the heart and is an involuntary muscle (it works without us thinking about it). Smooth muscle is found in our internal organs (such as the bladder) and aids healthy bodily functions. These are also involuntary muscles. Skeletal muscles are found all over the body and contain a multitude of tiny fibres which slide together to contract and shorten the muscle to generate movement. This movement is possible due to the presence of tendons (tough bands of connective tissue) which attach the muscles to bones. Ligaments are different in that they appear as woven bands that attach from bone to bone at either side of a joint, providing stability.

As skeletal muscles’ primary role is to generate movement, injuries most often occur because of physical activity or exercise. An injury occurs when filaments within the muscle fibres are separated, causing pain and inflammation, usually following an over-stretch, direct impact or wound to the muscle. When this occurs, it is called a strain. Such injuries are categorised according to their severity:

Grade 1 – Mild muscle strain when less that 5% of the muscle is damaged.

Grade 2 – More severe muscle strain with greater than 5% of the muscle damaged.

Grade 3 – Severe muscle strain with significant or even complete tear of the muscle fibres.

Grade 1 and grade 2 muscle strains may recover with rest, compression and elevation, but where pain and weakness persist physical therapy may assist in completing the recovery.

Grade 3 muscle strains are a more significant injury and will often require a visit to hospital, in some cases requiring immobilisation or surgery. Physical therapy is then essential to ensure full recovery.

Injuries to muscles can be prevented by maintaining a healthy lifestyle and bodyweight, completing a thorough warm up and cool down before and after exercise, and performing regular stretching and strengthening exercises to maintain the range and strength of the muscles.