Tendinopathies are common in the upper limb; despite lower force generation, there are more sustained levels of activity and higher repetition tasks than in the lower limb. Muscle-tendon units in the leg are subject to higher forces, often against total body weight, generating high-velocity movements. Translating research findings from the lower limb to the arm is not straightforward however, there are similarities in tendinopathies occurring where there is an element of compression, such as over the radial head in elbow extension and pronation. Wrist and finger tendinopathies also occur under retinacular structures at the wrist and the pulleys of the fingers.

"A tendon transfer procedure relocates the insertion of a functioning muscle-tendon unit in order to restore lost movement and function at another site.”