Tendons: What They Are, How They Work, and What Affects Their Health

When you move your hand, bend your knee, or push off the ground to run, you’re relying on tendons, fibrous connective tissues that attach muscle to bone and transmit force for movement. Also known as soft tissue connectors, tendons are tough, flexible, and built to handle constant stress—but they’re not indestructible. Unlike muscles, tendons don’t contract. Instead, they act like ropes, pulling on bones when muscles tighten. Without healthy tendons, even simple actions like gripping a cup or standing up from a chair become difficult.

Tendon problems aren’t rare. tendonitis, inflammation of a tendon, often from overuse or sudden strain affects athletes, office workers, and seniors alike. Common sites include the shoulder (rotator cuff), elbow (tennis elbow), knee (patellar tendon), and heel (Achilles tendon). But it’s not just about inflammation. Over time, tendons can degenerate without swelling—a condition called tendinosis, a chronic breakdown of tendon tissue due to repetitive stress. This isn’t always painful at first, but it weakens the structure and raises the risk of sudden tears.

Medications can quietly impact tendon health. Some antibiotics, like fluoroquinolones, are linked to tendon rupture—even in people who’ve never played sports. Pain relievers and steroids, while helpful for inflammation, can slow healing if used too long. Even drugs that affect metabolism, like those for diabetes or high cholesterol, can change how tendons respond to stress. And if you’re taking something like azathioprine or opioids long-term, your body’s ability to repair tissue might be quietly compromised.

What you eat matters too. Protein-rich foods help rebuild tissue, but timing matters—eating a big protein meal right before taking levodopa, for example, can interfere with absorption. Hydration, vitamin C, and collagen-supporting nutrients play a role, but no supplement replaces proper movement and rest. Tendons need gradual loading to stay strong. Sitting too long? Your Achilles tendon stiffens. Lifting too heavy too fast? You risk microtears. The key isn’t avoiding motion—it’s moving smartly.

Recovery isn’t just about rest. Physical therapy, controlled loading, and sometimes ultrasound or shockwave therapy help rebuild tendon strength. But many people skip this step, hoping pain will vanish on its own. It won’t. Ignoring tendon issues leads to longer recovery, more pain, and sometimes surgery. The good news? Most tendon problems improve with the right approach—especially when caught early.

Below, you’ll find real-world guides on how medications, diet, and lifestyle choices affect tendons and the tissues around them. From how certain drugs increase injury risk to what helps tendons heal faster, these posts give you the facts you need to protect your movement—for good.