Understanding Tendon Structure
Why Tendons Heal So Slowly
Tendons are the tough fibrous structures that attach muscles to bones. They're designed to withstand enormous tension - think of them as the cables holding up a suspension bridge. But unlike muscles, tendons have a critical weakness: very poor blood supply.
When you injure a tendon - whether from a sudden tear or years of overuse creating micro-damage (tendinopathy) - the healing process is painfully slow because there's barely any blood flow to bring in repair materials. The tendon is essentially trying to heal itself in a desert.
Meanwhile, collagen fibers (the main structural protein in tendons) are laid down haphazardly, creating weaker scar tissue instead of strong organized tendon tissue. The body tries, but without good blood supply and growth signaling, the job is done poorly. You get a tendon that's partially healed but fundamentally weaker and painful.
"Tendons heal by neglect - they have almost no blood supply."
This is where peptide therapy becomes fascinating. Different peptides attack this problem from different angles: some directly stimulate healing pathways, others improve blood flow and collagen quality, and others reduce inflammation that's keeping your tendon stuck in pain. Together, they're like bringing a construction crew to a job that's been done by one tired worker.