A torn tendon can be a significantly painful and debilitating injury, severely limiting your ability to move and use the affected body part. Whether it's a rotator cuff tear in your shoulder, an Achilles tendon rupture in your ankle, or a tendon injury in your hand or elbow, surgical repair is often just the first step towards recovery. At Precision Rehab, Occupational, Physical & Hand Therapy, P.L.L.C., we specialize in comprehensive, post-surgical physical and occupational therapy for tendon repairs, guiding you safely and effectively through each stage of healing to restore strength, range of motion, and function.
Understanding Tendon Injuries and Repairs
Tendons are tough, fibrous cords of tissue that connect muscle to bone. They play a crucial role in enabling movement and transferring force from your muscles to your skeleton. When a tendon is overstretched or subjected to excessive force, it can partially or completely tear. Common tendon injuries requiring repair include:
- Rotator Cuff Tears (shoulder)
- Achilles Tendon Ruptures (ankle/heel)
- Biceps Tendon Tears (shoulder or elbow)
- Patellar Tendon Tears (knee)
- Hand and Finger Flexor/Extensor Tendon Lacerations or Ruptures
- Quadriceps Tendon Tears (knee)
After a surgical repair, the tendon needs careful protection during the initial healing phases, followed by a structured and progressive rehabilitation program to regain strength and flexibility without compromising the repair.
Our Comprehensive Approach to Tendon Repair Rehabilitation
At Precision Rehab, Occupational, Physical & Hand Therapy, P.L.L.C., our therapists work closely with your surgeon to follow specific post-operative protocols, ensuring your rehabilitation is safe, effective, and tailored to the unique demands of your specific tendon repair. Our comprehensive program typically progresses through several phases:
Phase 1: Protection and Early Healing (Immobilization Phase)
This initial phase focuses on protecting the healing tendon and minimizing inflammation, typically while the affected area is in a sling, brace, or cast.
- Pain and Swelling Management: Utilizing ice, elevation, and gentle modalities to control discomfort.
- Gentle, Passive Range of Motion: Carefully moving the affected joint (or adjacent joints) through a prescribed range of motion, often performed by the therapist, to prevent stiffness without stressing the repair.
- Patient Education: Thorough instruction on sling/brace wear, precautions, positioning, and protecting the repair in daily activities.
- Maintaining Strength Elsewhere: Exercises for unaffected body parts to maintain overall fitness and strength.
Phase 2: Gradual Mobilization and Gentle Active Motion
As healing progresses and your surgeon allows, we begin to introduce controlled, active movement to gently stress the healing tendon and begin restoring range of motion.
- Active-Assistive Range of Motion: You start to assist in moving the joint, often with guidance from the therapist or using light resistance.
- Gentle Active Range of Motion: You begin to move the joint independently within a protected range.
- Initiation of Light Strengthening: Very low-intensity, isometric exercises (muscle contraction without movement) to begin reactivating muscles around the repair.
- Soft Tissue Mobilization: Gentle techniques to address stiffness and swelling around the surgical site.
Phase 3: Progressive Strengthening and Functional Restoration
Once the tendon demonstrates sufficient healing, the focus shifts significantly to rebuilding strength, endurance, and restoring functional movement patterns.
- Progressive Resistance Exercises: Gradually increasing the intensity and complexity of exercises using bands, light weights, or bodyweight to rebuild muscle strength and power.
- Neuromuscular Control Exercises: Improving the coordination and control of the muscles around the repaired tendon.
- Proprioception and Balance Training: Especially critical for lower extremity tendon repairs (e.g., Achilles), enhancing your body's awareness in space.
- Gait Training: For lower extremity repairs, retraining a normal walking pattern.
Phase 4: Return to Activity and Performance Enhancement
The final phase prepares you for a safe return to your desired activities, whether it's work, sports, or hobbies, with a focus on preventing re-injury.
- Sport-Specific Training: For athletes, incorporating drills that mimic the demands of your sport.
- Plyometrics: (When appropriate and cleared by the surgeon) Exercises for explosive power and agility.
- Advanced Functional Drills: Challenging movements that simulate real-life tasks.
- Prevention Strategies: Education on proper warm-up, cool-down, body mechanics, and a sustainable home exercise program to maintain strength and flexibility long-term.
Why Choose Precision Rehab, Occupational, Physical & Hand Therapy, P.L.L.C. for Tendon Repair Rehabilitation?
- Specialized Expertise: Our therapists have extensive experience and advanced training in post-operative orthopedic rehabilitation, particularly for complex tendon repairs.
- Collaborative Care: We maintain close communication with your surgeon, strictly adhering to their protocols to ensure a safe and effective recovery.
- Personalized Progression: Every step of your rehabilitation is tailored to your specific tendon repair, individual healing rate, and functional goals.
- Evidence-Based Approach: We utilize the latest research and best practices to optimize your recovery.
- Comprehensive Modalities: Integrating various therapeutic tools, including manual therapy, therapeutic exercises, and advanced modalities like laser therapy for accelerated healing and pain reduction.
A successful tendon repair requires dedicated and expert rehabilitation. Optimize your healing and regain your full potential with the specialized care at Precision Rehab, Occupational, Physical & Hand Therapy, P.L.L.C. Contact us today to schedule your post-operative evaluation and begin your journey back to full function.
