Current Concepts in Tendinopathy Management: What Happened to Eccentrics?

Course Description

Tendinopathy is a common clinical condition characterized by painful mechanical loading of an involved tendon associated with significant limitations in daily activities.  Recent research has improved our understanding and management of tendinopathy, however, clinical management of this condition continues to be variable in both type and theory of intervention.  Current standard of physical therapy practice has yet to leverage the latest literature for effective treatment of tendinopathy.  Progressive mechanical loading has been found to be an effective management strategy.  Different modes of strength training, including isometric, isotonic, isolated eccentric, and isokinetic, can be used to control pain, improve motor control, and enhance function in pathological tissue.

Tendinopathies of the upper and lower extremities can have profound negative effects on an individual’s ability to participate in and return to their previous level of functional activities.  This lecture will highlight current available evidence related to tendinopathy pathophysiology and provide simple and effective clinical management strategies for pain, progression of functional activities, and treatment of the entire kinetic chain.  The material presented is appropriate for physical therapists and assistants, occupational therapists and assistants, and athletic trainers due to the widespread nature of managing tendon dysfunction.

Course Objectives

At the end of this course, the participant will be able to:

• Summarize the most current research related to upper and lower extremity tendinopathy
• Describe examination components in the evaluation of tendinopathy
• Utilize strategies for pain management and treatment of the entire kinetic chain.
• Develop a rehabilitation program that incorporates guidelines for tissue loading progression and return to activity

• Educational Level

  Basic

• Other

  Satisfactory completion of this course will require the participant to respond to various polling questions asked throughout the webinar.