Tendons and Swellings Flashcards
What is tendinopathy
Disease of a tendon
What is tendonitis
Inflammation
What is tendinosis
Chronic tendon injury with damage to extracellular matrix
No inflammation
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
Transmit load from muscle to bone
Enables joint function
What is the composition of a tendon
Water
Collagen - type 1
Proteoglycans
What do fibroblasts do in tendons
Produce collagen and proteoglycan
Do tendons have a good blood supply
No
Many watershed areas that are common sites of pathology
Describe the organisation of a tendon
Microfibrils organise into sub fibrils which organise into fibrils
The fibrils are organised to fascicles which form the tendon unit
What is the endotendon
Layer of connective tissue that surrounds the fascicles
The blood vessels and nerves lie within it
What is the epitenon
outer connective Tissue layer which lies within loose areolar tissue or within tendon sheath.
What intrinsic factors can contribute to tendinopathy
Age - degeneration
Obesity
Existing disease - RA
Malalignment
What extrinsic factors can contribute to tendinopathy
Trauma or injury
Repeated injury
Drugs - steroids and some antibiotics
Sports
List the common treatments for tendon problems
RICE Physio Analgesics - anti-inflammatories Injections Splinting Surgery
What is meant by RICE treatment
Rest
Ice
Compression
Elevation
What soft tissue injuries can you treat with injections
Rotator cuff problems
Tennis elbow
What soft tissue injuries can you not treat with injections
Achilles tendon injury
Injury to extensor knee mechanism
Due to risk of rupture
What surgical procedures may be performed for soft tissue injury
Debridement
Decompression
Synovectomy - prevents rupture
Tendon transfer
What can cause a rotator cuff problem
Overuse of muscle - athletes and manual workers
Age
How do you treat a rotator cuff pathology
Physio
Injections
Surgery only used in severe cases
How do you treat a biceps rupture
Usually conservative (rest and physio) Surgery can be done but is very risky
What is the proper name for tennis elbow
lateral epicondylitis
What causes lateral epicondylitis
Overuse
Overload at the extensor tendon origin
Common in tennis
Common in dominant arm