Increased blood flow and tendon swelling precedes vascular expansion and tissue matrix changes in early human tendinopathy: a potential window for superior treatment response

Key Points

1. Blood flow increases in early tendinopathy.

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BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE

Tendinopathy is a common and disabling musculoskeletal condition, yet its underlying pathophysiology and temporal progression remain incompletely understood. Clinical features such as pain, swelling, increased blood flow, and matrix disorganisation are well described, but the sequence in which these changes occur is unclear.

Emerging evidence is identifying a role for Glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) and Proteoglycans in tendinopathy with the level of GAG’s corresponding to swelling and symptoms. These changes are identified as happening early in the development of tendinopathy and linked processes may be more responsive to change if targeted early.

The objective of the cross-sectional study was to clarify how mechanical loading related tissue stress, inflammatory and cellular processes, and vascular changes evolve across early and chronic stages of tendinopathy.

Tendinopathy is a common and disabling musculoskeletal condition, yet its underlying pathophysiology and temporal progression remain incompletely understood.

Early tendinopathy responds well to load modification and reassurance, whereas chronic tendinopathy requires longer, progressive rehabilitation.

METHODS

This study used a cross-sectional study design examining people with and without Patella tendinopathy. Three groups of people were sampled from:

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