Tendons

Question 1

What are the levels of tendon structure?

Answer 1

Fascicles, fibres, fibrils (tropocollagen)

Question 2

What structural changes occur in tendinopathy?

Answer 2

Alterations to tendon cell population, disorganisation of collagen, ground substance changes, neovascularisation

Question 3

Describe the alterations to tendon cell population in tendinopathy

Answer 3

Increased no. of tenocytes, increased tenocyte metabolism, increased immature tenocytes, increase apoptosis and increased immunoactive cells

Question 4

Describe the changes to collagen in tendinopathy

Answer 4

Reducting in TI Collagen, disorganised areas with high concentration of immature bundles (TIII)

Question 5

Describe the changes to ground substance in tendinopathy

Answer 5

PG and GAG content alters, increased water, increased substance P, glutamate and lactate

Question 6

What are the two most at risk populations for tendinopathy?

Answer 6

Active +/- 40s

>60s, sedentary