Foreword

Tendinopathy encompasses a diverse range of painful degenerative conditions affecting tendons. Tendons connect muscle to bone and are essential for normal locomotion. When damaged, the tendon is slow to repair, and injuries often become chronic. In many cases, the precise cause of a tendon injury is not known, and multiple factors such as increasing age, limited vascular perfusion, genetics and the level (and type) of physical activity are all important in determining the outcome. However caused, these conditions are often chronic, and atlhough they are common they are difficult to treat. Over the years there has been a growing interest in the scientific study of tendon and the cause and treatment of tendinopathy. Given the multifactorial nature of tendinopathy it is essential that a multidisciplinary approach is taken. Thus a symposium was organised at the University of East Anglia (3rd–4th September 2012) where the focus was specifically on tendon. The aim was to bring together biochemists, cell biologists, engineers, physiotherapists, rheumatologists and orthopaedic surgeons, thus gathering together those with an interest in this deceptively simple connective tissue. Speakers were invited to contribute review articles, and all participants were asked to provide short structured abstracts, which were presented at the meeting as posters, and some of which were selected for oral presentation. All the speakers and delegates made excellent contributions. These are published together in this issue. The quality of science was excellent, provoking much thought and debate in a convivial atmosphere, and stiuimulating interest in the next meeting on the subject.