Tendonitis
Inflammation of a tendon, usually from overuse
Quick Facts
- Type: Musculoskeletal (soft tissue) condition
- Common cause: Repetitive movement or overuse
- Common sites: Shoulder, elbow, wrist, knee, heel
- First-line care: Rest, ice, and activity changes
Overview
Tendons are the strong, flexible cords that connect muscles to bones and allow the joints to move. Tendonitis is inflammation or irritation of a tendon, most often caused by repeating the same motion over and over. It usually causes pain and tenderness just outside a joint.
Tendonitis can affect any tendon but is most common in the shoulder, elbow, wrist, knee, and heel. Many cases have familiar names such as tennis elbow, golfer's elbow, and jumper's knee. Most cases improve with rest and simple self-care, although some take weeks to months to settle fully.
Symptoms
The main symptoms occur at the affected tendon, usually near a joint:
- A dull ache or pain that worsens with movement of the joint
- Tenderness when pressing on the tendon
- Mild swelling
- Stiffness, often worse in the morning or after rest
- Sometimes a grating or crackling feeling when the tendon moves
Pain that comes on suddenly and severely, especially with a snapping sensation and inability to move the joint, can suggest a tendon tear and should be evaluated promptly.
Causes
Tendonitis usually develops from repeated stress on a tendon over time, though it can also follow a sudden injury.
- Repetitive motion: Sports, hobbies, or jobs that involve the same movement repeatedly.
- Sudden increase in activity: Doing too much, too soon, without conditioning.
- Poor technique or posture: Which places extra strain on a tendon.
- Direct injury: A sudden forceful movement or blow.
Aging makes tendons less flexible and more prone to irritation, and certain medical conditions and medications can also increase risk.
Risk Factors
- Repetitive activities at work, in sports, or in hobbies
- Older age, as tendons lose flexibility
- Poor conditioning or sudden increases in training
- Improper equipment or technique
- Certain conditions such as diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis
- Some antibiotics that can affect tendons
Diagnosis
Tendonitis is usually diagnosed from the history and a physical exam. The clinician asks about activities and checks for tenderness, swelling, and pain with specific movements. Additional tests are not always needed but may include:
- Imaging: X-rays to rule out other problems, or ultrasound and MRI to look at the tendon and detect tears when the diagnosis is unclear or symptoms persist.
The location of the pain and the movements that trigger it often point to the specific tendon involved.
Treatment
Most tendonitis improves with conservative care often summarized as RICE.
- Rest: Avoid or modify activities that cause pain to let the tendon recover.
- Ice: Apply cold packs to reduce pain and swelling, especially after activity.
- Compression and elevation: A wrap and raising the area can limit swelling.
- Medication: Over-the-counter pain relievers and anti-inflammatory drugs as needed.
- Physical therapy: Stretching and strengthening exercises to restore function and prevent recurrence.
- Injections or procedures: Corticosteroid injections may help in some cases; rarely, surgery is considered for persistent problems or tears.
Prevention
- Warm up before activity and stretch regularly
- Increase the intensity and duration of activities gradually
- Use proper technique and well-fitted equipment
- Take breaks and vary tasks to avoid repetitive strain
- Strengthen the muscles around frequently used joints
- Stop and rest if you feel pain rather than pushing through it
When to See a Doctor
See a doctor if tendon pain does not improve with a week or two of rest and self-care, if it keeps coming back, or if it limits your daily activities. Seek prompt care if you have sudden, severe pain, a snapping or popping sensation, marked swelling, or are unable to move the joint, which may indicate a tendon tear. Also seek care if the area is hot, red, and swollen with fever, which can suggest infection.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between tendonitis and tendinitis?
They are simply two spellings of the same condition: inflammation or irritation of a tendon. Both refer to tendon pain and tenderness, usually caused by overuse, and are treated the same way.
How long does tendonitis take to heal?
Mild tendonitis often improves within a few weeks of rest and self-care, but more stubborn cases can take several weeks to months. Continuing the activity that caused it, or returning too soon, can prolong recovery.
What is the best treatment for tendonitis?
First-line care is rest, ice, compression, and elevation, along with over-the-counter pain relievers and modifying the activity that triggered it. Physical therapy with stretching and strengthening helps recovery and prevents recurrence. Injections or, rarely, surgery are options for persistent cases.
Should I keep exercising with tendonitis?
You should avoid or modify the specific movements that cause pain, but gentle motion and a guided rehabilitation program usually help. Resting completely for too long is not ideal; the goal is to reduce strain while gradually rebuilding strength and flexibility.
When is tendon pain a sign of something more serious?
Sudden, severe pain with a snapping or popping sensation and inability to move the joint may mean a tendon has torn and needs prompt evaluation. Pain with heat, redness, swelling, and fever can suggest infection and should be checked quickly.
References
- Mayo Clinic. Tendinitis — Symptoms and causes.
- MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine. Tendinitis.
- American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (OrthoInfo). Sprains, Strains and Other Soft-Tissue Injuries.
- National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS). Sports Injuries.