Tendon problems Flashcards
What is a tendonopathy?
disease of a tendon
What is a tendonitis?
inflammation of a tendon
What is a tendonosis?
chronic tendon injury with damage to a tendons ECM, i.e. there is no inflammation
What is a tenosynovitis?
inflammation of the tendon sheath
What is an enthesopathy?
inflammation of the tendon origin or insertion into the bone
What do fibroblasts produce?
proteoglycans
collagen
What are tendons made up of?
water
collagen - type 1
proteogylcans
(e.g. lots of fibroblasts)
What is the sequence of organisation of tendon composition?
microfibrils -> subfibrils -> fibrils -> fasicles -> tendon unit
What are fasicles surrounded by?
an endotendon
Which sign does a biceps tendonopathy present with?
popeye sign
What is the common presentation of a biceps tendonopathy?
pain on anterior arm and shoulder radiating to the elbow that is aggrevated by shoulder flexion, elbow flexion and forearm pronation
What are biceps tendonopathies due to?
overuse
instability
impingement
How are biceps tendonopathies investigated?
ultrasound
examination
How are biceps tendonopathies treated?
rest and physio
possibly surgical repair
What is the common name for lateral epicondylitis?
tennis elbow
What is the common presentation of tennis elbow?
overuse at the extensor tendon
pain with resisted extension of the middle finger and pain and tenderness over the lateral epicondyle
What is the treatment of tennis and golfers elbow?
rest
physio
surgical release
steroid injections
What is the common name for medial epicondylitis?
golfers elbow
What is the common presentation for golfers elbow?
medial elbow pain worse on grasping and may present with ulnar neuropathy and muscle weakness
How is golfers elbow investigated?
Ultrasound
MRI
When would an EPL commonly rupture?
few weeks after an undisplaced distal radial fracture
- presents with loss of function of thumb extension
When would an extensor tendon rupture occur?
secondary to rheumatoid arthritis
during pregnancy
women
Why do extensor tendon ruptures occur?
attack on synovium leading to tendon degeneration leading to rupture
How does an extensor tendon rupture present?
weakness in wrist extension
dropped finger
How are extensor tendon ruptures treated?
DMARDs
tendon transfer
synovectomy to prevent reoccurrence
