Etymed
enthesopathy
Definition
A pathological condition affecting the enthesis, which is the site where tendons or ligaments attach to bone. This includes inflammation and degeneration of the fibrous tissue at the tendon-bone junction.
Clinical context
A 28-year-old runner presents with chronic heel pain that is worst in the morning and improves with activity. Physical examination reveals tenderness at the insertion point of the Achilles tendon on the calcaneus. X-rays show calcification at the tendon-bone interface. These findings are consistent with enthesopathy affecting the Achilles tendon insertion.
Mnemonic
ENTHESIS = E nd of T endon attaching to N ode (bone), where inflammation occurs