Mechanical Loading Uniquely Up-Regulates MMP-13 in Rat Supraspinatus Tendon But Not Achilles Tendon

Tendon injuries and chronic pain, known as tendinopathy, are extremely common in supraspinatus and Achilles tendons. Despite their prevalence, the pathogenesis of these conditions is poorly understood. One of most common cited factors for injuries to the rotator cuff tendons is “impingement”, namely, mechanical compression of the supraspinatus tendon by the overlying coracoacromial arch [1]. To date, few studies have investigated the molecular processes underlying this condition.