Overview

Tendonitis (also tenonitis or tendinitis) is an inflammation of a tendon. For example, patellar tendonitis (jumper's knee) is an inflammation of the patellar tendon, which connects the tibia to the patella.Recent research adds weight to a line of evidence suggesting that nitric oxide (NO) plays an important role in tendon healing (Xia et al, 2006). And inhibition of NO synthesis impairs tendon healing (Darmani et al, 2004). Such findings may lead to improved modes of treatment for this sometimes chronic condition. For example, NO is synthesized in the body from the amino acid arginine, supplementation of which boosts NO levels (UC Berkeley, Wellness Guide).
Standard treatment of tendon injuries is largely palliative. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs combined with rest and gradual return to exercise is a common therapy. However, some evidence suggests that tendonitis is not an inflammatory disorder and that anti-inflammatory drugs are not effective (Khan et al, 2002). Perhaps the most promising avenue of therapy is indicated in a line of research finding dramatic rates of recovery including complete remodeling of chronically damaged tendon tissue with eccentric loading exercise (see for example: Alfredson et al 1998; Mafi et al, 2001; Fahlstrom et al, 2003; Roos et al, 2004; Öhberg et al, 2004; Jonsson & Alfredson, 2005; Wilson & Best, 2005; Rees et al, 2006).