The surgical treatment of tendinitis. Clinical rationale and biologic basis.

The rationale for surgical treatment of tendinitis is to induce a modulation of the tendon cell-matrix environment by either promoting a renewed wound repair cycle or by the removal of aberrant tissue. The adequacy of healing as a result of surgical tendon treatment has been poorly documented histologically; what evidence exists suggests normal tissue is not achieved. The clinical experience of the authors as well as preliminary analysis of wound healing patterns in a longitudinal internal tenotomy rabbit tendo-Achilles model are discussed.