Chronic Achilles paratenonitis in athletes: a histological and histochemical study

Pathological alterations of chronic Achilles paratenonitis were studied histologically and histochemically in tissue samples obtained operatively from 16 athletes with this complaint and from 3 control patients. The activities of 11 different enzymes--lactate, succinate, malate, glucose-6-phosphate and glutamate dehydrogenases, lipoamide dehydrogenase and glutathione reductase (NADH2- and NADPH2-diaphorases), acid and alkaline phosphatases, phosphorylase and leucylaminopeptidase--were studied. Pathological findings were located diffusely around the tendon. A slight inflammatory cell reaction was found in all cases. The fatty areolar tissue was clearly thickened and edematous, and showed fibrinous exudations, widespread fat necrosis, considerable connective tissue proliferation and adhesion formation. The blood vessels showed profound degenerative and necrotizing changes. The thin membranes of the paratenon were clearly hypertrophied. Increased enzyme activities were mainly found in the fibroblasts, inflammatory cells and vascular walls. A moderate activity of lysosomal enzymes, an increased activity of enzymes of electron transport, anaerobic glycolysis, pentose phosphate shunt and decreased activity of those of aerobic energy metabolism were found. Simultaneously an increased amount of both neutral and acid mucopolysaccharides and a locally increased amount of elastic fibres were found in the inflamed paratenon. These results indicate that marked metabolic changes occur in paratenonitis, i.e. an increased catabolism and decreased oxygenation of the inflamed areas. The morphological alterations suggest that the gliding function of the paratenon may be impaired.