Definition:  Our tendons are soft tissue that hold (attatch) our muscles to our bones, so that we can move our joints.  When the tendons get pulled or stretched too quickly or past the normal range motion, this tendon tissue is damaged and needs to heal.  This is a strain.  How far and how many of the tissues were damaged will determine the healing time.

Treatment: 

• Always make sure a healthcare professional has ruled out any type of fracture or other diagnosis that may have occured during the injury.
•  Initial treatment of this injury should include R.I.C.E. (Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation). 
• After about 72 hours (depending on how severe the injury is and what your healthcare provider recommends) you can start gentle range of motion exercises.  Non weight bearing.  Depending on the joint you can use a circluar motion, the abc's etc.  After swelling and bruising have started to resolve you can start gentle strength training.  When working with the lower extremity, drills that include cutting, pivoting or plyometric training should not be included in the initial treatment.