Make sense of tendon pain and loading.
Tendon pain can affect training and everyday activity. A useful plan starts by identifying the presentation, understanding the demands on the area and deciding how progress will be assessed.
The tendon and location matter
Pain around a tendon is not enough to establish a diagnosis. The tendon involved, symptom history, examination and other possible causes guide the discussion.
Loading is individualized
For midportion Achilles tendinopathy, clinical guidance supports tendon-loading exercise. The exercise and progression need to suit the person. That guideline should not automatically be applied to insertional Achilles pain, a suspected rupture or every other tendon.
Know what to monitor
Ask which activities to modify, how the response to exercise will be reviewed and what would prompt reassessment. An online demonstration cannot choose an appropriate load for your injury.
Read the tendon series
The existing two-part series explores tendon pain and loading. Use it as background for a conversation with your clinician, rather than as a personal exercise prescription.
Tendon education · Part 1 · Tendon loading · Part 2
Explore related care and education
Questions you might have
Is there one best exercise for every tendon?
No. The tendon involved, your presentation and your goals influence exercise selection. A video or generic routine cannot replace an individual assessment.
What if I feel a sudden pop and lose function?
A sudden pop, marked weakness or loss of function may indicate a rupture or another significant injury. Seek prompt medical assessment.
Sources and further reading
General education only; this does not diagnose an injury or replace an individual assessment. Care and outcomes vary.