Tendinopathies are conditions that affect the tendons, which are bands of fibrous tissue that connect the muscles and bones. Tendinopathies can describe many types of tendon disorders such as tendonitis or tendinosis.
You can have tendinopathy in any tendon in your body. However, it is more common in the:
Achilles tendon
Hamstrings
Patellar tendon
Rotator cuff tendons
Overuse and aging are the most common causes of tendinopathies. Other causes are sudden injury or stress on the tendon and lack of muscle tone.
Symptoms, Diagnosis and Outlook
Symptoms of tendinopathies include:
Pain in the tendon or joint
Weakness or stiffness of a joint
To diagnose tendinopathies, your doctor will start by collecting your medical history and doing a physical exam. You may also need X-rays and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT) scans.
Treatment may include:
Low-impact exercises
Physical therapy
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
Injections of corticosteroids
Surgery
Your doctor will work with you to find the best treatment. You may start with physical therapy and over-the-counter medications for pain. The goal is to rebuild your strength and encourage the tendon to heal. If these treatments do not work, you may consider surgery.
Orthopaedics is proud to be a leader in the care of patients with disorders of the bones, joints and spine. Our faculty, clinicians, and researchers have been recognized by U.S. News & World Report, ranking as one of the best hospitals in the nation for in orthopaedic care.
Why Choose Penn State Health for Care
Top-Ranked by U.S. News & World Report
Penn State Health includes the Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, ranked as one of the best orthopaedic providers in the country by U.S. News & World Report. This honor was earned because our doctors consistently deliver exceptional patient care and outcomes through their commitment to advanced treatments, translational research and provider training.
Coordinated, Specialized Care Through a Dedicated Institute
Penn State Health orthopaedic specialists work together through our dedicated Penn State Bone and Joint Institute. We focus on providing you with tailored care and state-of-the-art treatments to produce the highest-quality patient outcomes. All physicians at the institute are fellowship-trained and subspecialize in additional areas of orthopaedics and sports medicine.
Designated as a Blue Distinction® Center
Penn State Bone and Joint Institute is a Blue Distinction Center for Knee and Hip Replacement. This superior designation from BlueCross BlueShield is only given to health care facilities and providers that stand out for their expertise in delivering specialty knee and hip replacement care. Our surgeons specialize in a range of pain-relieving procedures, including partial knee replacement, total joint arthroplasty, joint preservation surgery and complex revision surgery. They perform more than 1,000 joint replacement procedures every year.
Advancing Orthopaedic Medicine Through Research
The doctors and researchers in the Center for Orthopaedic Research and Translational Science at Hershey Medical Center are committed to advancing their field through scientific discovery and education. As the only locally based academic medical center in central Pennsylvania, Hershey Medical Center is a national leader in research and on the leading edge of new treatment options, including clinical trials, in partnership with Penn State College of Medicine.
Support Groups
Support groups provide an opportunity to share your feelings and connect with other patients and caregivers who are experiencing similar struggles.
We have an active clinical science research program and frequently seek volunteers to participate in clinical trials. These studies help our scientists improve diagnostic techniques, develop better treatments, and collaborate with other researchers.
