Tendon Problems Flashcards
What is tendinopathy?
Damage to tendons
What is tendonitis?
Inflammation of tendons
What is tenosynovitis?
Disease of synovium surrounding tendons
What is enthesopathy?
Disorder of the attachment of a tendon to bone
What is the function of tendons?
To link muscle to bone to enable joint function
What is the predominant cell of tendons?
Fibroblast
What is the function of fibroblasts?
Production and maintenance of collagen and other proteins
This allows flexibility and tensile strength of tendons
What is the organisation of tendons?
Tendons are made up of fascicles, separated by endotendon which is covered in epitenon
Hundreds of fibrils are contains within fascicles
Sub-fibrils make up fibrils
Microfibrils make up sub-fibrils
What are the sources of blood supply to tendons?
Perimysium
Periosteal insertion of the tendon
Paratenon
What are intrinsic factors that contribute to tendinopathy?
Age
Obesity
Pre-disposing diseases (e.g. RA)
Anatomical factors (e.g. malalignment, leg length discrepancy)
What are extrinsic factors the contribute to tendinopathy?
Trauma/injury
Repetitive injury
Drugs (steroids, antibiotics)
Sports related factors
What is tendinosis?
Histologic degeneration of collagen and extracellular matrix
Which type of areas does tendinosis usually affect?
Areas of poor blood supply
What is the general conservative treatment for tendinosis?
Rest
Physio
Analgesia
Anti-inflammatories
When can steroid injections be used in tendinosis, and when should they not be used?
Use in rotator cuff and tennis elbow
Do not use in Achilles tendon or extensor knee mechanism
What are the surgical treatment options for tendinosis?
Debridement
Decompression
Synivectomy
Tendon transfer
What are the upper limb tendon problems?
Rotatoe cuff Biceps brachii rupture Tennis elbow GOlfer'selbow De Quervain's tenosynovitis Rheumatoid extensor tendon rupture Extensor pollicis longus rupture Trigger finger
What are the muscles of the rotator cuff?
Subscapularis
Supraspinatous
Infraspinatus
Teres minor
Who are usually affected by rotator cuff pathology?
Athletes (throwing events) Manual workers (painters)
What are the symptoms and sings of rotator cuff pathology?
Achy pain down arm Difficulty sleeping on affected side, reaching overhead and on lifting Painful arc May be weakness Positive impingement tests
What are the impingement tests for which rotator cuff muscles?
Subscapularis - can patient place hand behind back at with palm touching the back and resist the examiner placing force on the hand
Supraspinatous - can patient hold both arms out at 45˚ from midline with thumbs down and resist examiner pushing down arm
Infraspinatous - can patient extend their arms at 45˚ from midline with elbows bent and kept at their sides, and resist the examiner pushing their arm back towards the midline
Teres minor - can patient hold arm up with fingers pointing t the ceiling with elbow bent at 90˚
What investigations are done for rotator cuff pathology?
USS (gold standard)
MRI
Arthroscopy
What is the management for rotator cuff pathology?
Physio
Steroid injection
Surgical - subacromial decompression
How does rotator cuff tendinopathy develop?
Over time cuff tendons degenerate
Can be provoked by excessive effort of the shoulder
Where is the biceps brachii usually affected by tendinopathy?
Long head of biceps where it passes through the bicipital groove anteriorly on the proximal humerous