Sprains / Strains / Tendinitis

Sprains, strains, and tendinitis are among the most common soft-tissue injuries, affecting the ligaments, muscles, and tendons that support your joints. Whether it’s turning an ankle (sprain), overstretching a muscle (strain), or developing painful tendon inflammation from repetitive motion (tendinitis), these injuries can limit your range of motion, reduce strength, and interfere with daily activities.

Physical therapy offers a targeted, non-invasive approach to ease pain, restore function, and prevent recurrence by combining hands-on techniques, customized exercise programs, and education on safe movement patterns.

Definitions & Causes

  • Strain
    A tear or stretch of muscle fibers caused by sudden heavy lifting, overstretching, or repetitive use. Strains are graded I (mild) through III (complete rupture).
  • Sprain
    A tear or overstretch of ligaments or joint capsules from twisting, falls, or direct blows. Sprains are also graded I through III, based on severity.
  • Tendinitis
    Inflammation of a tendon—the fibrous cord attaching muscle to bone—usually due to chronic overuse, poor technique, or repetitive motions.

Advantages of Physical Therapy vs. Other Interventions

  • Non-Invasive & Low Risk
    Physical therapy avoids the gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, and dependency risks of NSAIDs and opioids, as well as the infection and anesthesia concerns of injections or surgery.
  • Superior Intermediate-to-Long-Term Outcomes
    For lateral elbow tendinopathy, corticosteroid injections provide short-term relief, but physical therapy interventions yield better pain reduction, lower recurrence rates, and less need for additional treatment over the intermediate to long term (PubMed, PubMed).
  • Faster Return to Function
    Combining manual therapy and progressive loading leads to quicker recovery and functional gains compared to immobilization alone (ScienceDirect).
  • Empowers Self-Management
    Teaches you proper movement mechanics, strengthening, and flexibility exercises to prevent recurrence and maintain long-term joint and muscle health.

How Musculoskeletal Ultrasound Assists Diagnosis

Musculoskeletal ultrasound provides a dynamic, real-time view of soft-tissue structures, allowing clinicians to:

  • Identify partial-thickness or full-thickness tears in muscles, tendons, and ligaments
  • Detect fluid collection, swelling, or tendon thickening indicative of inflammation
  • Compare injured and healthy sides instantly to gauge severity

This precise imaging guides targeted interventions—such as manual therapy, loading protocols, or activity modification—and helps track healing without radiation exposure.

(Include picture of someone getting MSK Ultrasound)

References

  1. Physical therapy interventions provide intermediate-to-long-term benefits and lower recurrence than corticosteroid injections for lateral elbow tendinopathy (PubMed, PubMed).
  2. Corticosteroid injections outperform immobilization in De Quervain’s tenosynovitis short term, but PT plus exercise yields more durable functional recovery (ScienceDirect).
  3. PT programs reduce overall treatment costs and additional interventions compared to injection-based approaches (SAGE Journals).