is a degenerative change of the Achilles Tendon associated with pain and often with thickening of the tendon. It is common in athletes, but it also occurs in non athletes. Surgical specimens show a range of degenerative changes of the affected tendon, such as changes in tendon fibre structure and arrangement as well as an increase in glycosaminoglycans, which may explain the swelling of the tendon.[4] The precise cause of tendinosis remains unclear. Even though tendinosis of the achilles tendon is often connected to sport activities, the ailment is also often found with people who do not practice sports. The biggest cause is the excessive overburdening of the tendon. A light degeneration of the achilles tendon can be latently present, but pain only comes into being when the tendon is overburdened. It is also noted that the ailment is usually not preceded by a trauma.[5], [6]
Tendinosis is often confused with tendonitis, but it is important to understand the difference between these two pathologies. Tendonitis is an inflammation of the tendon. This inflammation causes micro-tears in the tendon when the tendon is acutely overloaded. This diagnosis is often mistakenly used when the patiënt actually has tendinosis. Tendinosis is a degeneration process in which no temperature rises occur, as apposed to tendonitis. It is very important to distinguish between these disorders, to discover which treatment is required, and what the expected duration of the treatment will be.
The healing time for tendonitis is generally shorter, and commonly takes several days to 6 weeks. For tendinosis, the expected duration is variable, this can be 6-10 weeks, but it might also take 3-6 months, when the tendinosis has become chronic