Treatment of athletic tendonopathy

Tendinopathy is a general term that describes any painful condition that occurs in or around a tendon. Historically, treatments have been directed at inflammation, but an improved understanding of the pathophysiology of tendinopathy has led to redirecting the treatment toward methods that address the underlying pathophysiology. Anti-inflammatory treatments such as NSAIDs and corticosteroid injections are still in common use. Novel treatments such as topical nitrates and platelet rich plasma injections aim to address the biological changes seen in tendinopathy, but evidence of clinical benefit is scant. This article reviews the most widely used treatments for tendinopathy and outlines the literature support for their use.