Tendon injuries

Question 1

What is the function of a tendon?

Answer 1

Gives stability and strength past 90 degrees

Question 2

What is the structure of a tendon?

Answer 2

Collagen bundles covered by endotendineum bound into fascicles, which are covered with paratenon and bound into tendons which are covered by epitenon

Question 3

What are tendon sheaths?

Answer 3

Thickening in tendon which form annular pulleys

Question 4

What cells are present in tendons>

Answer 4

Type 1 collagen fibres

Tenocytes

Question 5

What are the types of tendon injury?

Answer 5

Degeneration
Inflammation
Enthesiopathy
Traction apophysitis
Avulsion +/- bone fragment
Rupture
Laceration
Crush/ischaemia
Nodules

Question 6

What s degeneration a precursor to?

Answer 6

Rupture

Question 7

What is enthesiopathy?

Answer 7

Inflammation of tendon at insertion to bone

Question 8

What is traction apophysitis?

Answer 8

Inflammation due to recurrent load

Question 9

What is avulsion?

Answer 9

Failure at insertion

Load exceeding failure strength while muscle contracting

Question 10

What are the types of tendon rupture?

Answer 10

Substance

Musculotendinous

Question 11

What causes intrasubstance rupture?

Answer 11

Load exceeding failure strength

Question 12

What are the clinical features of musculotendinous rupture?

Answer 12

Sudden searing pain

Question 13

Where are lacerations seen most often?

Answer 13

Finger flexors

Question 14

What are the treatment options for avulsion?

Answer 14

Conservatione- limited application

Operative- reattach tendon, fixation of bone fragment

Question 15

What are the treatment options for tendon rupture

Answer 15

Conservative- mobilise, splint/cast

Operative

Question 16

What are the indications for operative treatment of tendons?

Answer 16

High risk of rerupture
High activity
Ends cannot be opposed

Question 17

What is the treatment for a tendon laceration?

Answer 17

Operative