22/11/2025
The evolving science of tendon healing ⬇️
At Clinic 88, we see many clients with tendon pain, and it's an area that continues to evolve as research develops.
🍩 For years, the well-known “donut model” by Professor Jill Cook and Associate Professor Craig Purdam (a Canberra-based Specialist Physiotherapist) has guided much of our approach. It focuses on strengthening the healthy parts of the tendon rather than trying to repair the degenerative centre. With the right loading and conditioning, pain often settles and function improves, even when the tendon still looks a little abnormal on scans.
🍊In 2019, research led by Professor Keith Baar added another layer to our understanding. By combining specific loading exercises with gelatine and vitamin C before training, his team found MRI evidence suggesting that damaged tendon tissue may be capable of regeneration over time (this took 1.5 years).
This research doesn’t change how we manage tendon injuries - it just adds to it. At Clinic 88, we continue to use proven, evidence-based loading programs while staying informed about new findings that refine and strengthen our approach. Our goal remains the same: to help you recover safely, build resilience, and return to the activities you love.
