Overuse injuries (tendinopathies)

Tendinopathies are conditions affecting the tendons in which the tissue has been overloaded and responds with pain, reduced function, and, in some cases, swelling. Unlike acute injuries, tendinopathies develop gradually over time.

Tendons connect muscles to bones and are subjected to significant stress during repetitive movements. If the stress exceeds the tendon’s capacity—without adequate recovery—an overuse injury may occur.

Common areas include:

• Achilles tendon
• Knee (runner's knee/patellar tendon)
• Elbow (tennis elbow/golfer's elbow)
• Shoulder (rotator cuff)

Symptoms of tendinopathy can vary, but typically include:

• Pain during physical activity
• Tenderness when pressure is applied to the tendon
• Stiffness, especially after resting
• Impaired strength or function
• Worsening with repeated strain

At first, the pain may subside during warm-up, but without treatment, it will often become more persistent.

Tendon pain often develops gradually and may seem harmless at first, but it is important to take action in a timely manner to prevent the condition from progressing into a more long-term injury.

You should be especially careful if:

• The pain lasts for more than 1–2 weeks without any noticeable improvement
• The pain occurs during daily activities, not just during exercise
• The pain worsens over time or becomes more persistent

At Lægerne Danmark, we offer a sports medicine consultation during which we assess your symptoms and develop a plan to help you avoid further complications and safely return to your activities.

Overuse injuries rarely result from a single cause, but are often due to a combination of factors:

• A sudden increase in the amount or intensity of exercise
• Repetitive, one-sided movements
• Insufficient recovery
• Reduced strength or stability
• Improper loading or incorrect technique
• Age and previous injuries

An individual assessment is important for identifying the underlying causes.

In many cases, it’s possible to continue exercising even if you have a strain injury—but it requires the right adjustments. The most important thing is to avoid activities that make the pain worse, while staying active at a level your body can handle.

You can often continue exercising if the pain is mild and does not worsen during or after activity. Conversely, you should stop or modify your workout if the pain becomes more severe, occurs earlier in the activity, or begins to affect your daily movements.

Adjusting your workout may involve reducing the intensity, modifying exercises, or temporarily switching to a different activity. A gradual and controlled increase in load is important for rebuilding the tendon’s strength and function.

During a consultation with a sports medicine specialist, a thorough assessment of your symptoms and exercise history will be conducted.

The study may include:

• Review of exercise, work, and activity levels
• Clinical examination of the affected area
• Assessment of strength, mobility, and function
• If necessary, a referral for an ultrasound or CT scan

The goal is to make an accurate diagnosis and identify the cause of the strain.

Treatment for tendinopathies focuses on reducing pain and restoring the tendon’s strength and tolerance to stress.

Typical treatment principles:

The goal of rehabilitation is to rebuild the tendon’s strength and tolerance for stress through a gradual increase in activity. It is important to follow rehabilitation plans that increase the load step by step, as returning to sports too quickly increases the risk of worsening the condition or experiencing a relapse.

At the same time, a structured training program is essential for reducing the risk of new injuries. Gradual progression, strength training, and variation in the intensity of the workout help make tendons and muscles more resilient, while adequate recovery ensures that the body can adapt to the strain.

When you choose a private sports medicine specialist at Lægerne Danmark, you’ll receive prompt access to specialized assessment and treatment for sports-related injuries. We offer short wait times, a thorough and personalized assessment, and evidence-based treatment that focuses on both the cause and the symptoms. At the same time, you’ll receive a plan for a safe return to sports and physical activity, tailored to your daily life and your goals.

Book an appointment with our sports medicine specialists today to receive a thorough evaluation and a personalized plan so you can safely return to your training and daily routine.