Not All Tendons Are Created Equal: Implications for Differing Treatment Approaches

The majority of muscles have distinct tendinous attachments to bones; however, only a few tendons develop painful conditions. That simple observation prompts us to ask a few questions. Are there commonalities in morphology and pathology among the painful tendons? What contributes to the propensity for pathology in some, but not all, tendons? And, consequently, should all tendinopathies be managed equally? Two common tendinopathies are those affecting the Achilles and supraspinatus, which are presented in this special issue and serve as excellent models to discuss similarities and contrasts. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2015;45(11):829-832. doi:10.2519/jospt.2015.0114.