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Tendonitis and Tendonosis Definitions:
Tendons are the thick cords that attach muscle to bone.  We have tendons all over our body, and they vary in size, structure and function.  Active individuals ranging from casual exercisers and athletes all the way up to elite Olympic and professional athletes experience tendon injuries.  Some examples of tendon injuries in professional players include: a quadriceps tendon tear (Victor Oladipo), Achilles tendon tears (Demarcus Cousins and Kobe Bryant), and patellar tendonitis (Pau Gasol).

  • Tendonitis is the inflammation of tendons.  Tendonitis can occur anywhere in the body, but is more common in the elbow, knee, shoulder, elbow, wrist and heel.  That does not exclude other areas, but these are the more common sources of tendon pain.  Tendonitis is an acute, short-term, inflammatory problem that comes with inflammation of the tendon cells (tenocytes).
  • Tendonosis is the chronic state of tendonitis.  During the chronic stage, the inflammatory cells are replaced with degenerative cells and this will often make the treatments and interventions very different.

Causes & Risks:
Tendonitis can be caused by: acute injuries, overuse or repetitive injuries, muscle or bone variations, ergonomic issues (like how you use your mouse and computer), other medical issues, and even some medications.

The risks for developing tendon issues include: age, work tasks, sport and exercise activities, and underlying medical problems.

Tendonitis is primarily a pain problem.  It starts with inflammatory cells inside the tendon causing pain and reduced functional ability leading to tendonosis.  Over time, these tendon changes can harm the function of the tendon.  If this happens for too long, it can lead to an increased risk of a tendon rupture (tear).

When do I need to see someone at the Tendon Treatment Center:
A vast majority of tendonitis will go away with rest, anti-inflammatory medicine and physical therapy exercises.  Getting a proper evaluation when the pain begins is important.  It can help decide what the best treatment plan is for you.  For those with ongoing, chronic symptoms, we can help provide comprehensive diagnosis, evaluation and treatment plans specifically for your condition.  At the UNC Tendon Treatment Center, we have a multi-specialist approach.  Our team is made up of experts specializing in both surgical and non-surgical options.  Our team provides innovative, evidence-based treatments personalized for each patient.  If you are struggling with tendonitis, tendonosis or you need help figuring out the cause of your pain, come see us at the Tendon Treatment Center.

Contact Us:
Or, if you want to schedule an appointment, please call (919) 974-7470.
If you are a current patient of the Tendon Treatment Center, you can send us a secure message via My UNC Chart.