Definition and research guide
This page combines a MeSH definition, publication statistics and selected research abstracts. It is a starting point for reading the literature, not a medical textbook or a systematic evidence review.
Content available: 4 complete abstracts (692 words), 10 references. Full article text is not stored or reproduced here; follow the PMID, DOI or PMC links to read the original sources and their access terms.
Definition
Clinical syndrome describing overuse tendon injuries characterized by a combination of PAIN, diffuse or localized swelling, and impaired performance.
Definition: NLM Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) scope note (Public domain (U.S. National Library of Medicine); attribution requested). View the MeSH record.
Also known as: Tendinopathies; Tendonopathy; Tendonopathies; Tendinitis; Tendinitides; Tendonitis; Tendonitides; Tendinosis.
Where it fits in the MeSH classification
- Broader topics
- Muscular Diseases; Tendon Injuries
- Narrower topics
- Elbow Tendinopathy; Enthesopathy; Giant Cell Tumor of Tendon Sheath; Tendon Entrapment; Tenosynovitis
Research landscape
PubMed indexes 16,179 records tagged with the MeSH heading “Tendinopathy” (counts retrieved 2026-11-04). 3,984 of them (24.6%) were published from 2020 onward, and the busiest period so far is 2010-2019 with 5,085 records.
Reviews account for 2,834 records (17.5%) and meta-analyses for 303. Randomized controlled trials number 964 (6.0%) as a share of all records on the topic.
Show the data
| Period | Records |
|---|---|
| through 1999 | 4,331 |
| 2000-2009 | 2,779 |
| 2010-2019 | 5,085 |
| 2020 onward | 3,984 |
Publication-type chart data
| Type | Records | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Reviews | 2,834 | 17.5% |
| Meta-analyses | 303 | 1.9% |
| Randomized controlled trials | 964 | 6.0% |
Method: PubMed query "Tendinopathy"[MeSH Terms] with publication-type and date filters, retrieved 2026-11-04.
Reading the evidence in bones, joints, muscles and skin
Joint, bone, muscle and skin conditions are often judged by pain scores, function questionnaires, imaging or photographs, and symptoms can fluctuate, so placebo response and natural improvement matter. Imaging changes are common in people without symptoms. Nothing on this page is advice about treatment. Check how outcomes were measured, whether the comparison group received a placebo or usual care, and how long the benefit lasted.
Evidence from open-access studies
These open-access studies come from PubMed’s best-match results for this heading (papers whose main topic it is), ranked here by citation count, with one recent addition. Each abstract is reproduced in full under its recorded open licence so that you can read the authors’ own words. They illustrate the literature; they are not a systematic summary of it. Citation counts measure attention, not reliability or clinical benefit.
| Study / authors | Year | Source label / design | Europe PMC citations | Licence / source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tendinopathy: The Interplay between Mechanical Stress, Inflammation, and Vascularity | 2025 | Review article Design not recorded in structured metadata | 17 | cc by PMID 40855996 · DOI · PMC12463082 |
| Advancements in Therapeutic Approaches for Degenerative Tendinopathy: Evaluating Efficacy and Challenges | 2024 | Review article Design not recorded in structured metadata | 17 | cc by PMID 39519397 · DOI · PMC11545934 |
| Il-6 signaling exacerbates hallmarks of chronic tendon disease by stimulating reparative fibroblasts | 2025 | Research article Design not recorded in structured metadata | 14 | cc by PMID 39918402 · DOI · PMC11805502 |
| Biomechanical insights into Achilles tendinopathy risk and protection in runners: a large prospective study 4HAIE | 2026 | Research article Design not recorded in structured metadata | 3 | cc by PMID 41672607 · DOI · PMC13018850 |
Tendinopathy: The Interplay between Mechanical Stress, Inflammation, and Vascularity [1]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- Tendinopathy is a long-lasting, debilitating disease that not only affects patients' individual lives, but also imposes a significant socioeconomic burden.
- Closing excerpt
- In the future, this network is expected to become even more intricate with the inclusion of emerging concepts such as intratendinous pressure and the potential influence of metabolic factors.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (161 words)
Tendinopathy is a long-lasting, debilitating disease that not only affects patients' individual lives, but also imposes a significant socioeconomic burden. Due to an insufficient understanding of the underlying pathomechanisms, treatment options remain limited. Although tendinopathy is recognized as a multifactorial disorder, known risk factors and predisposing conditions have largely been studied in isolation. In this review, it is aimed to examine the various pathomechanisms identified to date and synthesize them into a unified concept. Particular emphasis is placed on key drivers believed to be critical in the onset and progression of the disease-namely mechanical stress, inflammation, and vascular changes. By exploring molecular signaling pathways and conditions involved in tendinopathy, how these mechanisms interact and reinforce one another is illustrated, forming a complex and dynamic signaling network, referred to as the tendinopathic loop. In the future, this network is expected to become even more intricate with the inclusion of emerging concepts such as intratendinous pressure and the potential influence of metabolic factors.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 40855996 · DOI · PMC12463082
Advancements in Therapeutic Approaches for Degenerative Tendinopathy: Evaluating Efficacy and Challenges [2]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- Degenerative tendinopathy results from the accumulation of minor injuries following unsuccessful tendon repair during acute tendon injuries.
- Closing excerpt
- This review aims to clarify these issues by exploring the strengths and limitations of current treatments as well as recent innovations in managing various forms of degenerative tendinopathy.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (125 words)
Degenerative tendinopathy results from the accumulation of minor injuries following unsuccessful tendon repair during acute tendon injuries. The process of tendon repair is prolonged and varies between individuals, making it susceptible to reinjury. Moreover, treating chronic tendinopathy often requires expensive and extensive rehabilitation, along with a variety of combined therapies to facilitate recovery. This condition significantly affects the quality of life of affected individuals, underscoring the urgent need for more efficient and cost-effective treatment options. Although traditional treatments have improved significantly and are being used as substitutes for surgical interventions, the findings have been inconsistent and conflicting. This review aims to clarify these issues by exploring the strengths and limitations of current treatments as well as recent innovations in managing various forms of degenerative tendinopathy.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 39519397 · DOI · PMC11545934
Il-6 signaling exacerbates hallmarks of chronic tendon disease by stimulating reparative fibroblasts [3]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- Tendinopathies are debilitating diseases currently increasing in prevalence and associated costs.
- Closing excerpt
- We conclude that IL-6 activates tendon fibroblast populations which then initiate and deteriorate tendinopathy hallmarks.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (146 words)
Tendinopathies are debilitating diseases currently increasing in prevalence and associated costs. There is a need to deepen our understanding of the underlying cell signaling pathways to unlock effective treatments. In this work, we screen cell signaling pathways in human tendinopathies and find positively enriched IL-6/JAK/STAT signaling alongside signatures of cell populations typically activated by IL-6 in other tissues. In human tendinopathic tendons, we also confirm the strong presence and co-localization of IL-6, IL-6R, and CD90, an established marker of reparative fibroblasts. To dissect the underlying causalities, we combine IL-6 knock-out mice with an explant-based assembloid model of tendon damage to successfully connect IL-6 signaling to reparative fibroblast activation and recruitment. Vice versa, we show that these reparative fibroblasts promote the development of tendinopathy hallmarks in the damaged explant upon IL-6 activation. We conclude that IL-6 activates tendon fibroblast populations which then initiate and deteriorate tendinopathy hallmarks.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 39918402 · DOI · PMC11805502
Biomechanical insights into Achilles tendinopathy risk and protection in runners: a large prospective study 4HAIE [4]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- ObjectiveThis study aimed to evaluate whether lower limb biomechanics in runners and non-runners are risk factors for the onset of Achilles tendinopathy, and to assess the contributions of age, sex, running distance and injury history to the onset of Achilles tendinopathy.
- Closing excerpt
- Targeting biomechanical factors and running volume may help prevent Achilles tendinopathy.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (260 words)
ObjectiveThis study aimed to evaluate whether lower limb biomechanics in runners and non-runners are risk factors for the onset of Achilles tendinopathy, and to assess the contributions of age, sex, running distance and injury history to the onset of Achilles tendinopathy.MethodsThis prospective cohort study used quota sampling stratified by age, sex, region and physical activity status (runner, non-runner). Baseline assessments included questionnaires on running history and Achilles tendinopathy symptoms, running biomechanics, MRI and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Participants were followed for 1 year using a Fitbit device and a custom mobile application for weekly injury reporting and orthopaedic diagnoses. Binary logistic regression identified risk factors (OR, 95% CI). Primary biomechanical variables included ankle, knee and hip kinematics and kinetics during the stance phase of running. The main outcome was a medically confirmed diagnosis of Achilles tendinopathy within 1 year.ResultsOur study included 911 adults (mean age 37.7±12.5 years; 429 (47%) females; 528 (58%) runners) followed for 1 year. A higher peak ankle inversion moment (OR 0.33, 95% CI 0.17 to 0.61) during the stance phase decreased the odds of developing Achilles tendinopathy, while a lower peak ankle external rotation angle (OR 2.20, 95% CI 1.23 to 4.03) and greater running distance (OR 1.67, 95% CI 1.23 to 2.22) increased the odds of onset. The findings were consistent across the full cohort and runners.ConclusionWe identified a lower peak ankle inversion moment, a lower peak ankle external rotation angle and a greater running volume as significant predictors of the onset of Achilles tendinopathy. Targeting biomechanical factors and running volume may help prevent Achilles tendinopathy.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 41672607 · DOI · PMC13018850
Key reviews and meta-analyses
The most cited review-type papers among PubMed’s best-match results for this heading, listed with bibliographic details only. Follow the links for the full text and access terms.
- Research article A systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical trials on physical interventions for lateral epicondylalgia [5]
- Research article A systematic review with procedural assessments and meta-analysis of low level laser therapy in lateral elbow tendinopathy (tennis elbow) [6]
- Research article Can ultrasound imaging predict the development of Achilles and patellar tendinopathy? A systematic review and meta-analysis [7]
- Research article Which treatment is most effective for patients with Achilles tendinopathy? A living systematic review with network meta-analysis of 29 randomised controlled trials [8]
- Research article Is there an association between tendinopathy and diabetes mellitus? A systematic review with meta-analysis [9]
- Research article Low level laser treatment of tendinopathy: a systematic review with meta-analysis [10]
References
- Gehwolf R, Tempfer H, Cesur NP, Wagner A, Traweger A, Lehner C. Tendinopathy: The Interplay between Mechanical Stress, Inflammation, and Vascularity. . 2025. PMID 40855996 · DOI · PMC12463082
- Morya VK, Shahid H, Lang J, Kwak MK, Park SH, Noh KC. Advancements in Therapeutic Approaches for Degenerative Tendinopathy: Evaluating Efficacy and Challenges. . 2024. PMID 39519397 · DOI · PMC11545934
- Stauber T, Moschini G, Hussien AA, Jaeger PK, De Bock K, Snedeker JG. Il-6 signaling exacerbates hallmarks of chronic tendon disease by stimulating reparative fibroblasts. . 2025. PMID 39918402 · DOI · PMC11805502
- Jandacka D, Skypala J, Plesek J, Urbaczka J, Golian M, Burda M, et al.. Biomechanical insights into Achilles tendinopathy risk and protection in runners: a large prospective study 4HAIE. . 2026. PMID 41672607 · DOI · PMC13018850
- Bisset L, Paungmali A, Vicenzino B, Beller E. A systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical trials on physical interventions for lateral epicondylalgia. Br J Sports Med. 2005. PMID 15976161 · DOI · PMC1725258
- Bjordal JM, Lopes-Martins RA, Lopes-Martins RA, Joensen J, Couppe C, Ljunggren AE, et al.. A systematic review with procedural assessments and meta-analysis of low level laser therapy in lateral elbow tendinopathy (tennis elbow). BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2008. PMID 18510742 · DOI · PMC2442599
- McAuliffe S, McAuliffe S, McCreesh K, Culloty F, Purtill H, O'Sullivan K. Can ultrasound imaging predict the development of Achilles and patellar tendinopathy? A systematic review and meta-analysis. Br J Sports Med. 2016. PMID 27633025 · DOI
- van der Vlist AC, Winters M, Weir A, Ardern CL, Welton NJ, Caldwell DM, et al.. Which treatment is most effective for patients with Achilles tendinopathy? A living systematic review with network meta-analysis of 29 randomised controlled trials. Br J Sports Med. 2021. PMID 32522732 · DOI · PMC7907558
- Ranger TA, Wong AM, Cook JL, Gaida JE. Is there an association between tendinopathy and diabetes mellitus? A systematic review with meta-analysis. Br J Sports Med. 2016. PMID 26598716 · DOI
- Tumilty S, Munn J, McDonough S, Hurley DA, Basford JR, Baxter GD. Low level laser treatment of tendinopathy: a systematic review with meta-analysis. Photomed Laser Surg. 2010. PMID 19708800 · DOI
About this article
- Sources
- NLM Medical Subject Headings (definition, synonyms); NCBI PubMed (counts, identifiers); Europe PMC (open-access abstracts and citation counts).
- Verification
- Every reference was resolved against PubMed on 2026-11-04; title, year and DOI matched.
- Review state
- automated source verified; no human expert review has been recorded yet.
- Version
- 1, last updated 2026-11-04.
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Evidence strength
EvidenceHelix's computed view of the study designs behind this topic: how common meta-analyses, randomized trials and reviews are, how recent the literature is, and a plain-language reading. It describes the design mix of the literature. It is not a quality appraisal of any study, and it is not medical advice.