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Tendinopathies

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Tendinopathy Basics - Tangoing Tendons

  • Definition: Overuse injury: pain, ↓ function.
    • Tendinosis: Chronic, degenerative; collagen disarray, minimal inflammation.
    • Tendinitis: Primarily inflammatory (less common).
  • Common Sites: Achilles, patellar, rotator cuff (supraspinatus), epicondyles.
  • Risk Factors:
    • Intrinsic: Age, genetics, biomechanics (e.g., malalignment), systemic diseases (diabetes).
    • Extrinsic: Repetitive overload, training errors, improper equipment/technique.

Cook and Purdam's Tendinopathy Continuum Model

Cook & Purdam's Continuum Model:

  • Stage 1: Reactive Tendinopathy
    • Acute response to overload; non-inflammatory cell activity & matrix changes.
    • Tendon thickening; generally reversible.
  • Stage 2: Tendon Disrepair (Failed Healing)
    • Attempted healing; ↑ cellularity, proteoglycans, collagen disarray.

    ⭐ Neovascularization and neural ingrowth are key histopathological features in chronic tendinopathy, often visualized on power Doppler USG.

  • Stage 3: Degenerative Tendinopathy
    • Cell death, matrix disorganization, extensive neovascularization.
    • Often irreversible changes; ↑ rupture risk.

Clinical Assessment - Spotting Sore Spots

  • Symptoms: Activity-related pain, morning stiffness.
  • Signs: Localized tenderness, palpable nodule/thickening, crepitus.

Key Provocative Tests:

TestForPositive Sign
Jobe's TestSupraspinatus tendinopathyPain/weakness on resisted shoulder abduction
Finkelstein'sDe Quervain's tenosynovitisPain over radial styloid with thumb flexion & ulnar deviation
Cozen's/Mill'sLateral epicondylitis (Tennis Elbow)Pain at lat. epicondyle (resisted wrist ext./passive flexion)
Phalen's/Tinel'sCTS (differentiate wrist pain)Paresthesia in median nerve distribution

Imaging:

  • USG: Initial. Shows tendon thickening, hypoechogenicity, fibrillar disruption, neovascularization.
  • MRI: Pre-op, failed conservative. Shows signal changes, partial/full tears.

⭐ Pain on resisted active movement of the affected musculotendinous unit, or on passive stretching, is a characteristic clinical finding.

Management Strategies - Taming the Tendon

  • Conservative First:
    • Load management & activity modification: Essential.
    • PRICE 📌 (Protection, Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation) for acute phases.
    • Physiotherapy: Key! Eccentric exercises (e.g., Alfredson - Achilles; Stanish - patellar). Eccentric calf exercise for Achilles tendinopathy
    • Stretching, progressive strengthening.
  • Adjunctive Therapies (If Needed):
    • Pharmacological: NSAIDs for short-term pain relief.
    • Injections ⚠️: Corticosteroids (judicious use: short-term relief, rupture risk). Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP), Prolotherapy, High-volume image-guided injections (HVI) (evidence varies).
    • Other: Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT), Nitric oxide patches.
  • Surgical Intervention:
    • Failure of >6 months comprehensive conservative therapy.
    • Persistent significant functional impairment.

⭐ Eccentric exercise programs are the cornerstone of evidence-based physiotherapy for many chronic tendinopathies, particularly Achilles and patellar tendinopathy.

Common Culprits - Tendon Trouble Tour

Common Tendinopathy Sites and Prevalence

TendinopathyLocation / Key FeatureKey Test(s)Mgt Pearl / Complication
Rotator Cuff (Supra.)Shoulder; Painful arcJobe's, Neer's, Hawkin'sImpingement common
Lateral EpicondylitisLat. elbow; Wrist ext. painCozen's, Mill's"Tennis Elbow"
Achilles TendinopathyHeel; Mid/Insertional painThompson's (rupture)Alfredson protocol; Rupture risk
Patellar TendinopathyInf. patella; Jumping painPain on palpationDecline squats; "Jumper's Knee"

High‑Yield Points - ⚡ Biggest Takeaways

  • Tendinopathy encompasses tendinitis (inflammation) and tendinosis (degeneration).
  • Overuse and repetitive microtrauma are primary etiological factors.
  • Key symptom: activity-related pain and localized tenderness.
  • Eccentric exercises are the cornerstone of non-operative treatment.
  • Lateral epicondylitis (Tennis elbow): ECRB most affected; pain on resisted wrist extension.
  • Rotator cuff tendinopathy: Supraspinatus most common; painful arc (60-120°).
  • De Quervain's tenosynovitis: Positive Finkelstein's test (APL & EPB tendons).

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