Overview of tendinopathy
Tendinopathy is primarily a chronic degenerative condition, often related to temporary overload of the tendon. Common examples include:
- subacromial pain syndrome associated with rotator-cuff tendinopathies
- lateral and medial epicondylar tendinopathies
- greater trochanteric pain syndrome, which may be associated with gluteal tendinopathy
- patellar tendinopathy
- Achilles tendinopathy.
Tendinopathy can be associated with microtears of a tendon, but small partial tears can also be associated with degenerative change (rather than a specific injury). Their presence does not alter the management of the tendinopathy; they are part of the process. Small tears or microtears associated with tendinopathy are frequently seen on ultrasound scans but may occur in asymptomatic tendons.
Nontraumatic tendinopathic or degenerative tears should be distinguished from acute traumatic tendon tears or ruptures because the management is different.