Our Summary

This research paper is about the conditions that cause pain and limited function in tendons, known as tendinopathy. These conditions occur when the body’s usual process of healing is unsuccessful. The study aims to understand what exactly goes wrong in the body during the early stages of these conditions, in order to develop better treatments. Recently, scientists have been considering the role of inflammation (when part of the body becomes swollen and often painful) in the development of these tendon conditions. This review focuses on what may happen in the body during the early stages of tendinopathy. It highlights the role of certain substances in the body that can either cause inflammation, break down proteins or stimulate cell growth and repair. The hope is that this understanding can help in treating tendon disorders.

FAQs

  1. What are the common symptoms of tendinopathy?
  2. How does inflammation affect the development of tendon disorders?
  3. What role do pro-inflammatory cytokines, proteolytic enzymes, growth factors, and healing genes play in the onset of tendinopathy?

Doctor’s Tip

A helpful tip a doctor might tell a patient about tendon repair is to follow a specialized rehabilitation program that includes specific exercises to strengthen the tendon and surrounding muscles, as well as proper rest and ice therapy to reduce inflammation. Additionally, maintaining good overall physical fitness and proper nutrition can help support the healing process. It is important to listen to your body and not push through pain during rehabilitation to avoid further injury. Be sure to follow up with your doctor regularly to monitor progress and adjust the treatment plan as needed.

Suitable For

Patients who are typically recommended tendon repair are those who are experiencing pain and functional limitation due to tendinopathy. Tendinopathy is characterized by a failed healing response in the tendon, leading to symptoms such as pain, stiffness, and reduced range of motion. Inflammation plays a key role in the development of tendon pathologies, particularly in the early stages of tendinopathy when symptoms may not yet be clinically evident. Patients with tendinopathy may benefit from tendon repair surgery to address the underlying issues and improve their symptoms.

Timeline

Before tendon repair:

  1. Patient experiences pain and functional limitation due to symptomatic tendinopathy.
  2. The essential lesion of tendinopathy is a failed healing response.
  3. Cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in the failed healing response are not functioning properly.
  4. Inflammation plays a role in the development of tendon pathologies, particularly during the early stages when “early tendinopathy” may not be clinically evident.

After tendon repair:

  1. Tendon repair surgery is performed to address the failed healing response.
  2. Healing genes, growth factors, and proteolytic enzymes are involved in the repair process.
  3. Pro-inflammatory cytokines may also play a role in the healing process.
  4. With successful tendon repair, the patient may experience improved pain and functionality in the affected tendon.

What to Ask Your Doctor

  1. What caused my tendon injury and how can I prevent it from happening again in the future?
  2. What are the different treatment options available for tendon repair and which one would be most suitable for my specific case?
  3. What is the expected recovery time after tendon repair surgery and what can I do to help facilitate the healing process?
  4. Are there any potential risks or complications associated with tendon repair surgery that I should be aware of?
  5. Will I need physical therapy or rehabilitation after the surgery and if so, what will that involve?
  6. How soon can I return to my normal activities, including work, exercise, and sports, after tendon repair surgery?
  7. Are there any lifestyle changes or modifications I should make to prevent re-injury of the repaired tendon?
  8. What are the long-term outcomes and prognosis for tendon repair surgery in terms of pain relief and functional improvement?
  9. Are there any alternative or complementary therapies that may help with the healing and rehabilitation process after tendon repair surgery?
  10. How frequently should I follow up with you after the surgery to monitor my progress and address any concerns or complications that may arise?

Reference

Authors: D’Addona A, Maffulli N, Formisano S, Rosa D. Journal: Surgeon. 2017 Oct;15(5):297-302. doi: 10.1016/j.surge.2017.04.004. Epub 2017 Jun 7. PMID: 28596062