From the Guidelines
Most patients with overuse tendinopathies, including partial thickness tendon tears, fully recover within three to six months. The healing process can be influenced by various factors such as age, overall health, and adherence to treatment protocols 1.
Key Factors Influencing Recovery
- The natural history of tendinopathies involves gradually increasing load-related localized pain coinciding with increased activity
- Accurate diagnosis requires recognition of historical features, anatomy, and useful physical examination maneuvers for common tendon problems
- Examination should include thorough inspection, range-of-motion testing, palpation for tenderness, and examination maneuvers that simulate tendon loading and reproduce pain
Treatment Options
- Relative rest of the affected area, icing, and eccentric strengthening exercises are recommended for outpatient treatment
- Topical and systemic nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can provide acute pain relief, but their use should be cautious
- Injected corticosteroids can relieve pain, but should be used with caution
- Surgery is an effective treatment option for patients who have failed conservative therapy
Recovery Timeline
- The healing timeline varies due to the relatively poor blood supply of tendons compared to other tissues
- Factors like age, overall health, and the specific tendon affected can significantly influence recovery time
- Most patients can expect to fully recover within three to six months, with some requiring longer periods of time 1.
From the Research
Healing Time for Partial Thickness Tendon Tear
The healing time for partial thickness tendon tear is not explicitly stated in the provided studies. However, the studies suggest that conservative management, including physical therapy, platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections, and other treatments, can lead to significant improvements in pain and function in the short-term.
Short-term Outcomes
- Studies have shown that PRP injections can lead to improved pain relief and function at 3 months after injection 2.
- A systematic review and meta-analysis found that PRP had statistically significant short-term effects on pain relief and functional improvement for partial-thickness rotator cuff tears and rotator cuff tendinopathy 3.
- Another study found that conservative management, including physical therapy and PRP injections, demonstrated favorable clinical outcomes, with improvements in pain and function at short-term follow-up 4.
Long-term Outcomes
- However, the long-term effects of these treatments are less clear, with some studies suggesting that the benefits may not last beyond 12 months 2, 3.
- A systematic review found that there was no sustained benefit of PRP over corticosteroid injections at longer-term follow-up (12 months) 2.
- Another study found that the effects of PRP on pain and function may not last for a long time, except for the Constant-Murley score 3.
Factors Affecting Healing Time
- The healing time for partial thickness tendon tear may depend on various factors, including the size and location of the tear, the effectiveness of the treatment, and the patient's overall health and activity level.
- A study found that the results of minimal important difference reached the minimal clinically important difference, except American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons 3.
- Subgroup analysis found that differences of pain relief were statistically significant in PRP-treated groups with double centrifugation, single injection, and post-injection rehabilitation 3.