Week 1 Tendons

Question 1

What’s tendinopathy

Answer 1

Pain and dysfunction related to any tendon

Question 2

What to check for in tendons

Answer 2

If it’s degenerative or inflammatory

Question 3

What structural change can occur with tendinopathy

Answer 3

Alterations to tendon cell population - increased number of tenocytes, increased tenocyte metabolism, increased immature tenocytes, increased rates of apoptosis, immunoactive cells.
Disorganisation of collagen - reduction type 1 collagen, disorganised areas with higher concentrations of immature collagen bundles (increased type 3).
Ground substance changes - PG and GAG content alters, increased H2O, chemical alterations - substance P, glutamate and lactate.
Neovascularization - influx of blood vessels into the anterior surface and mid substance this is associated with various never fibres in growing into the tendon

Question 4

What are the risk factors for tendinopathy

Answer 4

Modifiable risk factors
- tendon load
- muscle power 
- obesity 
- cholesterol
Non - modifiable risk factors 
- DM 
- Genetic factors 
- early menopause 
- rheumatological disease 
- recent sciatica 
- recent injury