3. Terminology

A number of terms are currently used to describe tendon disorders, including tendinitis, tendonitis, tendinosis, tendinopathy, calcifying tendinitis, calcic tendinopathy, calcified tendinopathy, calcareous tendinopathy, calcific tendinopathy, tendinosis calcarea, periarticular apatite deposit, partial tear, incomplete tear, partial-thickness tear, full-thickness tear, and complete tear. These terms are often used interchangeably and can be confusing.106 For proper research, assessment, and treatment, a uniform terminology is necessary.107 We prefer tendinopathy, calcific tendinopathy, partial-thickness tear, full-thickness tear, and complete tear to describe the spectrum of rotator cuff disorders. Tendinopathy is a popular neologism used to refer to a tendon abnormality with no macroscopic tear as it makes no assumption as to the underlying degenerative or inflammatory process. It is conceivable that inflammation and degeneration are not mutually exclusive, but work together in the pathogenesis of tendinopathy.108