Tendon problems Flashcards
What is “teninopathy”?
Disease of a tendon
What is “tendonitis”?
Inflammation of a tendon
What is “tendonosis”?
Chronic tendon injury with damage to a tendon at a cellular level
What is “tenosynovitis”?
Inflammation of the tendon sheath
What is “enthesopathy”?
Inflammation of the tendon origin or the insertion into bone
What is the function of a tendon?
To link muscle (motor unit) to the bone to enable joint function (motion)
What shape are tendons usually?
Cylindrical in shape with slight widening and flattening at the musculotendinous junction and their bony insertions
What is the predominant cell in tendoons?
Fibroblast
What is the function of fibroblasts?
Production and manitance of collagen and other proteins which confer the flexibility and tensile strength of tendons
Describe the structure of tendons
Tendons have hierarchical structures. The microfibrils make up subfibrils which in turn make up fibrils. Hundreds of these fibrils are contained within the fascicle. The fascicles are separated by endotenon which is covered by epitenon.
Why is the blood supply to tendons important?
For healing and maintenance.
Where does the blood supply to the tendons come from? (3)
The perimyseum
The periosteal insertion of the tendon
The paratenon
Is tendanosis always painful?
No, can be present and not painful.
What is tendanosis histologically?
Histologic degeneration of collagen and extracellular matrix
Describe the conservative management of tendon disease:
Rest
Analgesics (anti-inflammatories)
Injections (of local anaestheitic and cortisone around the tendon or the insertion) (rotator cuff, tennis elbow, NOT ACHILLES TENDON OR EXTENSOR KNEE MECHANISM due to risk of rupture)
Splinting (or casting) (achilles tendon)
What injections are useful in tendon disease?
PRP - platelet rich plasma –> inject into tendon (might settle down tendanopathies) ( controversial)
Steroid injections –> TOXIC TO TENOCYTES (tenocytes produce collagen) –> controversial (too many steroid injections may damage tendon)
Why are steroid injections controversial?
Steroid toxic t tenocytes tenocytes produce collagen)
Too many steroid injectiosn may amage tendon
What may have to be done if a tendon ruptures?
Tendon transfers.
What are the surgical principles of management of tendanopathies? (4)
Depridement (removal of diseased tissue)
Decompression (supraspinatus tendonitis and subacromial decompression)
Synovectomy (helps to prevent rupture) (extensor tendosn of wrist - RA) (tibalis posterior)
Tendon Transfer (Tibialis posterior) (extensor policis longus)
What are the muscles of the rotator cuff? (4)
Supraspinatus, infraspinatous, subscapularis and teres minor
Who gets rotator cuff pathology?
Athletes (throwing) Manual workers (painters)
What are the clinical findings of rotator cuff pathology?
Achy pain
Pain in 4 tendons of Rotator Cuff
Shoulder tenderness
Difficulty sleeping on affected side, reaching overheard and on lifting
Painful arc with rottor cuff weakness
Positive impingement tests (such as Hawkins-Kennedy, Jobe’s, Scarf)
What muscle is most commonly affected by a rotator cuff tear?
Supraspinatus
What intrinsic factors can cause rotator cuff tears?
Degeneration
Tendon vascularity
What extrinsic factors can cause rotator cuff tears?
Anatomical features (e.g. the morphology of the acromion) Biomechanical factors (e.g. kinetics and performance)
How are rotator cuff pathologies managed conservatively?
Rest, physio, steroid and LA injections
How are rotator cuff pathologies managed surgically?
Either arthroscopic or open subacromial decompression and rotator cuff repair.
If not settling –> sub-acromial decompression
What is the gold standard imaging of the rotator cuff?
Ultrasound Scan
A dynamic scan can detect impingement too
What part of the biceps is most predominantly affected by biceps tendinopathy?
The long head of biceps (where it passes through the bicipital groove, located anteriorly on the proximal humerus).
How does biceps tendinopathy present?
Anterior shoulder pain which is aggrevated by shoulder flexion, forearm pronation and elbow flexion.
Also –> clicking or snapping sensations with shoulder movement.
What are the clinical signs of biceps tendon rupture?
Popeye sign and extensive bruiding.
“Popeye sign” = Biceps “buncing up too much”
What three places can a biceps tendinopathy occur in?
Long head of biceps
Short head of biceps
Proximal end of biceps
What causes biceps tendinopathies?
4
Overuse
Instability
Impingement
Trauma
What investigations are used to diagnose biceps tendinopathies?
Clinical exam
Ultrasound scan
What is the mainstay of treatment of biceps tendinopathy?
(Conservative) Rst and Physio
What high risks are associated with surgical repair of biceps tendinopathy?
Neurovascular complications, especially the distal end