Non-insertional Achilles tendinopathy

[摘要] Non-insertional Achilles tendinopathy is one of a number of overuse conditions. The term ‘tendinosis’ was used by Puddu1 in 1976 to describe the histological degenerative changes of this condition. These include loss of the normal collagenous architecture and replacement with an amorphous mucinous material, hypercellularity, increased glycosaminoglycans and neovascularisation.2-4 It was previously thought that inflammation was not an important factor in the disease;4-11 however in recent years, the importance of inflammation in the tendinopathological process has been under re-evaluation, and it is now thought that the inflammatory process is a contributory factor to the development of tendinopathy.12,13 As the disease is a combination of both inflammation and degeneration, the term ‘tendinopathy’ is preferred to the previously-used term ‘tendinitis’.14,15 The area of degeneration typically occurs between 2 cm and 6 cm from the insertion of the Achilles into the calcaneus. It is probably most accurate to describe the degenerative process as a failed healing response.

[学科分类] 神经科学

[关键词] Achilles tendinopathy;non-insertional;aetiology;clincal presentation;non-operative treatment;operative treatment