Tendinosis is a condition characterized by the abnormal growth of tendons and ligaments. Tendinosis may result from trauma or congenital abnormalities (such as those resulting from injury). Tendinosis may affect any joint, but it most commonly affects the knee. There are several types of tendinopathy: acute, chronic, degenerative, inflammatory and sarcoidosis. Acute tendinopathies are usually self-limiting and resolve spontaneously without treatment. Chronic tendinopathies may require surgical intervention to correct them. Sarcoidosis is a rare condition that occurs when certain bacteria enter the bloodstream through an open wound such as a cut or abrasion. These infections can lead to inflammation of surrounding tissues and eventually leading to tissue death.
Symptoms of Tendonosis
The symptoms of tendonosis vary depending on which type of tendinopathy one suffers from. For example, acute tendinopathies often include pain, swelling and stiffness in the affected area. Chronic tendinopathies may show no signs at all until they have progressed to a point where surgery is required to remove the affected tissue.
Inflammatory tendinopathies may present with other symptoms such as fever, chills, cough and backache. Degenerative tendinopathies involve the breakdown of collagen fibers that make up tendons, resulting in weakness and decreased range of motion. Sarcoidosis is a rare condition that causes non-infectious nodules to grow in the lungs or other organs.
Treatment for Tendonosis
The most common treatment for tendonosis is rest, ice, and over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications such as Ibuprofen and Aspirin. Acupuncture may also be helpful in relieving the pain. In more severe cases, a doctor may inject corticosteroids, platelet-rich plasma (PRP), or viscosupplementation into the affected area to speed up healing.
What is Tendonosis?
The first thing to know is that tendonitis and tendonosis are very similar conditions. Some medical professionals argue as to whether they are different at all. This article will refer to tendonitis as an acute condition and tendonosis as a chronic condition.
Tendonitis is an acute condition, meaning that it comes on suddenly and may resolve just as quickly. Tendonosis is a chronic condition, meaning that it develops over time and persists even after the original cause of the pain has healed.
Tendonitis
Tendonitis is inflammation of a tendon. The most common types are:
Achilles Tendonitis (heel pain)
Golfer’s Elbow (epicondylitis) – Pain on the outside of the elbow.
Tennis Elbow (Lateral Epicondylitis) – Pain on the inside of the elbow.
Wrist Tendonitis – Pain in the wrist.
Sources & references used in this article:
Achilles tendon imaging by CA Harris, AJ Peduto – Australasian radiology, 2006 – Wiley Online Library
Ultrasound guided aspiration of symptomatic supraspinatus calcific deposits by E Beutel – 2009
Repetitive Strain Injuries by M Bradley, MS Bhamra… – The British journal of …, 1995 – birpublications.org
Prolotherapy for knee pain by T Mitchell – working-well.org
