Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
Is Complete Rest Required During TENS Therapy For Tendinitis At The Ligament Connecting The Forearm And Right Thumb?
Question: Hello,
My son who is a regular gymer is having tendinitis in right thumb at the ligsment which connect forearm to thumb.
He has tried
diclo serratiocombibation
methyl prednidolone 16 mg thrice
with
Chymoral forte thrice daily
Physiothrrapist started TENS therapy and the pain settled well in about 20 sitting (As per physiotherapist he should continue doing his exercises (gym) along with TENs but avoid those moments which cause pain.
Now after 20 days physiotherapist said that start some mild exerices ( extension and flexion and to start doing those exercises in gym which were causing problem) she said that rest is not advised for more then 3 days in tenditinitis.
Now after 20 days as he repeated those pain causing moments again the ligament starts to cause severe pain again.
What is the protocol-
Should he take complete break from exercises till all is fine.
or as per physiotberapist she should continue doing non pain causing moments with TENS and ultrasonics again.
What to do
please suggest
Regards!
My son who is a regular gymer is having tendinitis in right thumb at the ligsment which connect forearm to thumb.
He has tried
diclo serratiocombibation
methyl prednidolone 16 mg thrice
with
Chymoral forte thrice daily
Physiothrrapist started TENS therapy and the pain settled well in about 20 sitting (As per physiotherapist he should continue doing his exercises (gym) along with TENs but avoid those moments which cause pain.
Now after 20 days physiotherapist said that start some mild exerices ( extension and flexion and to start doing those exercises in gym which were causing problem) she said that rest is not advised for more then 3 days in tenditinitis.
Now after 20 days as he repeated those pain causing moments again the ligament starts to cause severe pain again.
What is the protocol-
Should he take complete break from exercises till all is fine.
or as per physiotberapist she should continue doing non pain causing moments with TENS and ultrasonics again.
What to do
please suggest
Regards!
Brief Answer:
Complete rest.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
The first step in treating tendinitis is to identify the cause. This step cannot be overemphasized because even if you treat the tendinitis, the condition will return if the cause has not been identified and dealt with. The initial phase in how to treat tendinitis is to get the inflammation under control. If the tendon is acutely inflamed (tender to the touch, swollen and painful with movement), the treatment needs to focus on reducing the inflammation.
Acute inflammation can be treated using the P.R.I.C.E. principle of Protection, Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation with the focus on rest and ice. Rest is absolutely crucial in treating tendinitis and is the most difficult component to get an athlete to adhere to. However, athletes who continue to push through pain risk moving their injury from the acute inflammation phase to a chronic tendinitis which is much harder to treat.
Exercise or TENS is not recommended in acute pain. TENS, ultrasonics or exercises need to be stopped absolutely till the pain subsides. The medicines he has taken till date have not successfully controlled the inflammation. You need to get his MRI scan done to assess the extent of the inflammation and any tear or other damage to the specific tendon. Do ask him to use a wrist brace and consult an orthopedician for a physical examination after proper investigations.
Hope my answer is helpful.
Regards.
Dr. Praveen Tayal
Orthopedic Surgeon
Complete rest.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
The first step in treating tendinitis is to identify the cause. This step cannot be overemphasized because even if you treat the tendinitis, the condition will return if the cause has not been identified and dealt with. The initial phase in how to treat tendinitis is to get the inflammation under control. If the tendon is acutely inflamed (tender to the touch, swollen and painful with movement), the treatment needs to focus on reducing the inflammation.
Acute inflammation can be treated using the P.R.I.C.E. principle of Protection, Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation with the focus on rest and ice. Rest is absolutely crucial in treating tendinitis and is the most difficult component to get an athlete to adhere to. However, athletes who continue to push through pain risk moving their injury from the acute inflammation phase to a chronic tendinitis which is much harder to treat.
Exercise or TENS is not recommended in acute pain. TENS, ultrasonics or exercises need to be stopped absolutely till the pain subsides. The medicines he has taken till date have not successfully controlled the inflammation. You need to get his MRI scan done to assess the extent of the inflammation and any tear or other damage to the specific tendon. Do ask him to use a wrist brace and consult an orthopedician for a physical examination after proper investigations.
Hope my answer is helpful.
Regards.
Dr. Praveen Tayal
Orthopedic Surgeon
Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Nagamani Ng
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
