A Reader of the BJSM Blog Asks:

Nitro Patches for Tendinopathy?

I am quite intrigued by this, not only as a physician but more so as a patient with some current injuries. Would you be so kind as to reply with a source that might describe the mechanis(s) of action as well as a link or two to get more detail.

Answer:

Although the precise mechanism is not known, cell culture studies suggest that Nitric Oxide (NO) has a direct stimulating effect on collagen synthesis. For a background to the discussion and direction to the clinical papers on the effectiveness of nitro patches, please see Dr Murrell’s summary in the BJSM Tendinopathy Issue (April 2007).