Tendon injuries

Question 1

what is the role of a tendon

Answer 1

to connect muscle to bone

Question 2

what is the name of the fibres that connect to the bones

Answer 2

Sharpey’s fibres

Question 3

what are tendons composed of

Answer 3

tenocytes and collagen fibres

Question 4

describe the rope like structure of tendons

Answer 4

the collagen fibres are bundles into fascicles that are bundled into tendon

Question 5

what are the collagen fibres covered with

Answer 5

endotenon

Question 6

what are the fascicles covered with

Answer 6

paratenon

Question 7

what are the tendons covered with

Answer 7

epitenon

Question 8

how are tendons connected to a tendon sheath

Answer 8

via vincula

Question 9

name some causes of tendon injury

Answer 9

degeneration, inflammation, laceration, tear, avulsion and nodules

Question 10

what is de quervain’s stenosing tenovaginitis

Answer 10

this is inflammation of the sheath that surrounds the EPB and APL tendons going to the thumb

Question 11

what is another term for de quarvain’s stenosing tenovaginitis

Answer 11

texter’s/gamer’s thumb

Question 12

what are the clinical signs of de quarvains stenosing tenovaginitis

Answer 12

pain when moving the thumb, spasms, pain at the radial side of the wrist and burning of the hand

Question 13

what test will be positive in de quarvain’s sclerosis tenovaginitis

Answer 13

Finklestein’s test - this is when the thumb is placed under the other fingers in a fist shape and tilted forwards (Finkle-Fone)

Question 14

what is enthesiopathy

Answer 14

this is when there is inflammation of a tendon at the site where is inserts onto the bone

Question 15

what is traction apophysitis

Answer 15

this is where there is excessive force put on a tendon due to the growth of a bone in active children

Question 16

what is Osgood-Schlatter disease

Answer 16

this is a type of traction apophysitis that occurs at the patellar tendon

Question 17

what is an avulsion tendon injury

Answer 17

this is when the tendon had been pulled off of its insertion point to to some sort of increased force put on it - usually occurs in the fingers causing Mallet finger (unable to straighten the end of the finger because the tendon has been ripped off)

Question 18

what is the most common cause of rupture of the achilles tendon

Answer 18

pushing off of the weight bearing foot

Question 19

what test is used to diagnose a rupture achilles tendon

Answer 19

Simmond’s/squeeze test - this is when the patient lies down flat head down with their feet off of the bed- squeeze the calfs and if there is a rupture the foot will not move (normally the foot would plantar flex if the tendon is intact)

Question 20

what is the treatment of a ruptured achilles tendon

Answer 20

Conservative = splint/cast

Operative - only if there is high activity and likelihood of rupture

Question 21

why should tendon lacerations be surgically repaired early

Answer 21

the tendons retract and degenerate (Wallerian degeneration)