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Tendinopathy: Pathophysiology, Therapeutic Options, and Role of Nutraceutics. A Narrative Literature Review

Tendinopathies are very common in general population and a huge number of tendon-related procedures take place annually worldwide, with significant socio-economic repercussions. Numerous treatment options are commonly used for tendon disorders. Besides pharmacological and physical therapy, nutrition could represent an additional tool for preventing and treating this complex pathology that deserve a multidisciplinary approach. In recent years, nutraceutical products are growing up in popularity since these seem to favor the prevention and the healing processes of tendon injuries.

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Articles of Interest

Everything You Need to Know About Tendinitis and Its Treatment

You found out you have tendonitis. Probably wondering what treatments are available, what do you need to know about them and what to expect afterwards.

Is it Tendonitis or Tendinitis?

Both words are spelled correctly but tendinitis tends to be the more preferred term used in medical literature.

Tendinitis, Tendinosis: Both a Pain, But Different

What Is Tendinosis? With tendinosis, a tendon shows no signs of inflammation. Rather, tendinosis results in a degeneration or breakdown of the tendon’s collagen – the primary structural protein of skin, tendons, and other connective tissue. This degeneration results from chronic, continued overuse without rest to permit healing.

Tendinopathy, Tendinitis, and Tendinosis

Tendinopathy, tendinitis and tendinosis are three different terms that often lead to confusion. Its important however to understand the differences – particuarly if you are suffering from these conditions.

Tendon Disorders

Tendon disorders, or tendinopathies, are medical conditions that cause the tendons not to function normally. Tendinitis is a disorder of tendons without sheaths and tenosynovitis is a disorder of tendons with sheaths.

Tendon overuse injuries

Some people use painkillers to relieve the symptoms. Other treatments include cooling the area, ultrasound therapy and massages. But these approaches haven’t been proven to help: Some haven't been studied at all, or research on a treatment has looked at the effects on only some tendons, so it’s not clear whether they would help when used on other tendons in the body.

Resources

7 Crucial Facts You Didn't Know about Tendons

We are not able to repair/heal degenerative tendon pathology. In other words, no surgery, no shockwave therapy, no injections whatsoever, and not even exercise are able to repair or heal a degenerated tendon...

Tendinopathy

The term tendinopathy is a generic descriptor of the clinical conditions ( both pain and pathological characteristics) associated with overuse in and around tendons.[5]Also, it is characterised with pain , reduced function and exercise intolerance.

Tendinosis

Tendon injuries plague various patients, ranging from vigorous athletes to non-athletes. Different sports and occupations expose patients to increased risk for certain tendinopathies. Terminology and definition have changed significantly over the last 40 years. Tendinopathy is an umbrella term used to describe tendon pain without knowing the specific pathology, including tears, inflammatory enthesitis, or chronic degeneration. Historically, tendon pain with associated decreased function was described as tendinitis. Tendinitis, by definition, implies that tendon injury is accompanied by an inflammatory response, which occurs in spondyloarthritis. In reviewing available histopathology studies that compare healthy tendons to injured (symptomatic) ones, it is evident that these injured tendons appear to be in a degenerative state with few or no inflammatory cells. Tendinosis more appropriately defines this process.

Tendonitis

When tendons become inflamed or irritated the condition is called tendonitis. Tendons can be small, like the delicate, tiny bands in the hands, or large, like the heavy, ropelike cords that anchor the calf or thigh muscles. In most cases, the cause of tendonitis is unknown; when a cause can be identified, the condition usually happens for one of two reasons: Overuse – A particular body motion is repeated too often. Overload – The level of a certain activity, such as weightlifting, is increased too quickly.

And Your Tendon

Regardless of what tendonitis you may be suffering from (knee, hip, shoulder, elbow, ankle), the treatment stages are the same. The location of the treatment is wherever the inflamed tendon may be.