Our Summary

Tendinopathies, or painful conditions related to tendon injury, affect about 25% of adults. To better study this, researchers have developed a new model using sheep, which allows them to compare healing in adult and fetal (unborn) animals. They found that fetal tendons completely healed within 28 days, while adult tendons still showed signs of injury five months later.

The study revealed that adult tendon injuries were characterized by significant inflammation and the activation of certain white blood cells, along with higher levels of factors that promote inflammation and enzymes that could further damage tissue. On the other hand, injured fetal tendons produced proteins that helped reduce inflammation and promote healthy tissue production.

This new model using sheep is a powerful tool for researching tendon healing and could help improve treatment strategies. The early findings already enhance our understanding of how fetal tendons successfully heal.

FAQs

  1. What percentage of adults is affected by painful conditions related to tendon injury?
  2. What differences were found between healing in adult and fetal tendons in the sheep model?
  3. How could this new research model using sheep enhance treatment strategies for tendon injuries?

Doctor’s Tip

One helpful tip a doctor might give a patient about tendon repair is to follow a proper rehabilitation program to help promote healing and prevent further injury. This may include physical therapy exercises, stretching, and strengthening exercises to improve flexibility and strength in the affected tendon. Additionally, it is important to avoid activities that may exacerbate the injury and to give the tendon time to rest and heal properly. It is also important to stay hydrated, eat a healthy diet, and get enough rest to support the body’s natural healing processes. By following these recommendations, patients can improve their chances of successful tendon repair and recovery.

Suitable For

Patients who are experiencing chronic tendon pain, limited range of motion, or decreased strength due to tendon injury are typically recommended for tendon repair. This includes individuals with tendinopathies, tendon tears, tendon ruptures, or other tendon injuries that are not responding to conservative treatments such as rest, physical therapy, or medication.

Tendon repair may be recommended for patients with injuries in various tendon locations, including the shoulder (rotator cuff tendons), elbow (common extensor or flexor tendons), knee (patellar tendon), ankle (Achilles tendon), or wrist (extensor or flexor tendons). The decision to undergo tendon repair surgery is typically based on the severity of the injury, the patient’s symptoms and functional limitations, and the potential benefits of surgical intervention.

Overall, patients who have persistent tendon pain or dysfunction that is impacting their daily activities and quality of life may benefit from tendon repair to help restore function, reduce pain, and improve overall tendon health.

Timeline

Before tendon repair:

  1. Patient experiences pain and limited mobility in the affected tendon.
  2. Patient may try conservative treatments such as rest, ice, physical therapy, and medication to manage symptoms.
  3. If conservative treatments are not effective, patient may undergo imaging tests to assess the extent of the tendon injury.
  4. Patient may then undergo tendon repair surgery to address the damaged tendon.

After tendon repair:

  1. Following surgery, patient will go through a period of immobilization and physical therapy to promote healing and regain strength and range of motion.
  2. Over time, patient will gradually increase activity levels and return to normal function.
  3. Patient may continue physical therapy and follow-up appointments to monitor progress and prevent re-injury.
  4. Ultimately, patient should experience reduced pain and improved function in the repaired tendon.

What to Ask Your Doctor

Some questions a patient should ask their doctor about tendon repair include:

  1. What type of tendon injury do I have and how severe is it?
  2. What are the treatment options available for my tendon injury?
  3. What are the potential risks and complications associated with tendon repair surgery?
  4. How long is the recovery process expected to take and what is the rehabilitation plan?
  5. Are there any alternative treatments or therapies that could help with my tendon injury?
  6. What can I do to prevent future tendon injuries?
  7. How successful is tendon repair surgery in terms of full recovery and regaining function?
  8. Are there any specific lifestyle changes or modifications I should make during the recovery process?
  9. What are the chances of re-injury after tendon repair surgery?
  10. Are there any specific exercises or physical therapy techniques that can help with my tendon injury recovery?

Reference

Authors: Ribitsch I, Bileck A, Aldoshin AD, Kańduła MM, Mayer RL, Egerbacher M, Gabner S, Auer U, Gültekin S, Huber J, Kreil DP, Gerner C, Jenner F. Journal: Int J Mol Sci. 2021 May 25;22(11):5619. doi: 10.3390/ijms22115619. PMID: 34070692