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 & 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:
| Test | For | Positive Sign |
|---|---|---|
| Jobe's Test | Supraspinatus tendinopathy | Pain/weakness on resisted shoulder abduction |
| Finkelstein's | De Quervain's tenosynovitis | Pain over radial styloid with thumb flexion & ulnar deviation |
| Cozen's/Mill's | Lateral epicondylitis (Tennis Elbow) | Pain at lat. epicondyle (resisted wrist ext./passive flexion) |
| Phalen's/Tinel's | CTS (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).

- 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

| Tendinopathy | Location / Key Feature | Key Test(s) | Mgt Pearl / Complication |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rotator Cuff (Supra.) | Shoulder; Painful arc | Jobe's, Neer's, Hawkin's | Impingement common |
| Lateral Epicondylitis | Lat. elbow; Wrist ext. pain | Cozen's, Mill's | "Tennis Elbow" |
| Achilles Tendinopathy | Heel; Mid/Insertional pain | Thompson's (rupture) | Alfredson protocol; Rupture risk |
| Patellar Tendinopathy | Inf. patella; Jumping pain | Pain on palpation | Decline 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).
Continue reading on Oncourse
Sign up for free to access the full lesson, plus unlimited questions, flashcards, AI-powered notes, and more.
CONTINUE READING — FREEor get the app