Tendon Pain: ‘itis’, ‘osis’, or ‘opathy’

Tendon pathologies are very common amongst the general population. There is a lot of confusion surrounding the proper term to use as the diagnosis.

Definitions:

Tendons – connect muscle to bone. Tendons are activated when we contract a muscle.

Tendinitis – refers to inflammation of the tendon. It is questionable whether this is the proper term to use, since typically it’s not the tendon itself that is inflamed, rather the tissue surrounding it.

Tendinosis – does not include inflammation of the tendon, often making this term more appropriate. Research states that tendinosis is caused by repeated use of the associated movement of the tendon and that overuse causes changes to the tendon structure.

Tendinopathy – is the overall term used when there is pathology to the tendon due to repetitive use. Research suggests that this is the term most appropriate to use.

Tendinopathies can be seen all over the body. Some commonly seen in the clinic are in the shoulder (think rotator cuff pain), the elbow (tennis elbow), and the hip (gluteal tendinopathy, which is often seen in conjunction with bursitis).