A number of processes can cause tendon pathology and there is a discrepancy in terminology reflecting the unclear pathophysiology.
Terminology
- tendinopathy: general umbrella term for pain and swelling of a tendon 2,3
-
tendinitis
- previously popular term largely replaced by tendinopathy 3
- now largely used to refer to an acute inflammatory process, e.g. calcific tendinitis, rheumatoid arthritis 4
-
tendinosis
- chronic tendon injury with cellular-level damage 2
- some authors specifically define it as tendinopathy of the mid-tendon 3
- tenosynovitis: pain and swelling affecting a fully-developed tendon sheath +/- tendinosis 3
- paratenonitis/peritendinitis/paratendinopathy: inflammation of the paratenon +/- tendinosis 3
- tendon entrapment
- tendon rupture
- tendon instability (subluxation and dislocation)
Pathology
Tendon pathology can be:
- degenerative
- traumatic, e.g. acute ruptures, lacerations