Woman playing pickleball after recovering from treatment for tendonitis

What is tendonitis?

Tendonitis, also called tendinitis, is when a tendon becomes inflamed, often from overuse or injury when moving your body. Tendons are strong, flexible tissues that connect muscles to bones, helping you move. Every time you swing a tennis racket, grab a cup of coffee, go for a run or squat to reach a low cabinet, your tendons are working to make those movements possible.

Your body has around 4,000 tendons. While tendons support your movement, too much strain or repetitive activity can cause them to become inflamed or injured. Tendonitis can happen in different areas of your body, like the heel, shoulder, elbow, ankles or knees.

Types of tendonitis

Tendonitis types are often named after the sport or the area of the body where the injury occurs. Some of the most common types of tendonitis include:

  • Achilles tendonitis
  • Biceps tendonitis
  • DeQuervain's tenosynovitis
  • Golfer’s elbow
  • Jumper’s knee
  • Pitcher’s shoulder
  • Runner’s knee
  • Swimmer’s shoulder
  • Tennis elbow
  • Trigger finger

Tendonitis symptoms

The most common symptoms of tendonitis include:

  • Pain at the site of the tendon and the surrounding area, which may worsen with movement
  • Stiffness or difficulty moving the affected joint
  • A cracking or popping sensation that you may hear or feel when moving
  • Swelling, often accompanied by skin discoloration (red, purple or darker than your natural skin tone)

When to see a doctor 

See your primary care provider if symptoms of tendonitis affect your ability to function normally or prevent you from participating in your favorite activities. Your provider may be able to diagnose tendon inflammation and recommend treatment. On the other hand, they may refer you to an orthopedic surgeon for more specialized care, especially if you’ve been dealing with symptoms for a long time.

You should also see a doctor if your symptoms worsen after a few days of at-home care. If, for example, you develop a fever or can’t move your affected arm or leg, seek medical help as soon as possible.

What causes tendonitis?

In most cases, tendonitis develops due to overuse and repetitive motion. If you play tennis, for example, swinging a racket again and again, day after day, can irritate your elbow tendons and cause tendonitis. You can also develop tendonitis if your job calls for performing the same movements over and over. Painters, for example, tend to be at higher risk for tendonitis.

Less commonly, you may develop tendonitis due to an injury or by stretching a tendon too far during a sudden movement. Tendon inflammation may also occur due to a condition that can increase the risk of inflammation, such as diabetes or osteoarthritis.

Tendonitis risk factors 

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The most common cause of tendonitis is repetitive motion. Tendons allow you to perform the same movement repeatedly, and tendinitis can develop if you frequently repeat the same motion during sports or work. The risk is higher if the motion is done incorrectly.

Tendinitis can also be caused by:

Aging

As you age, your tendons naturally lose some flexibility. As a result, they can become injured and inflamed more easily.

Certain medications

Some medications, such as statins and aromatase inhibitors, can increase the risk of tendon damage.

Profession

Tendinitis is more common in people, such as gardeners and manual laborers, whose jobs involve repeated motions, awkward positions, frequent overhead reaching, vibration and forced movements.

Sports

Sudden increase in training intensity, repetitive motions (such as pitching), insufficient recovery time after an injury or poor athletic form can increase the risk of tendonitis.

tendonitis suffering able to get back on the treadmill after treatment

Complications

Tendonitis can be inconvenient in the short term, especially if you have to take time away from sports or other activities to allow the tendon to heal. Ignoring the condition, though, may allow it to become a long-term problem. Without treatment, symptoms may become persistent, and the tendon could degenerate. Inflammation may strain the tendon until it tears.

Complications of untreated tendonitis can include:

  • Chronic discomfort: Persistent inflammation can cause low-level pain whenever you move.
  • Muscle weakness: The muscles near the tendon may grow weaker and affect joint functioning.
  • Reduced functioning: Moving the affected joint may become more difficult as tendon inflammation persists.
  • Tendon rupture: Unchecked irritation of the tendon may eventually cause it to rupture, or tear.

How is tendonitis diagnosed?

To diagnose tendonitis, your physician will gather information about your symptoms and examine the affected area to look for signs of an inflamed tendon. A medical history and exam can provide valuable information. To confirm the diagnosis, though, the physician will order imaging tests to check the condition of your tendons.

  • Medical history and exam

    Be prepared to tell your doctor as much as possible about your symptoms, including what they feel like, when they began, whether certain activities trigger them, how they affect your quality of life and what you’ve done to manage them.

    Your doctor will examine the area of your body in question. They will look for signs of inflammation and may ask you to move the area in different ways to see whether doing so causes pain or tenderness.

  • Imaging

    Looking inside your body to see the tendon and the area around it can allow your physician to confirm a tendonitis diagnosis or rule it out. Common imaging tests for tendonitis include:

    • MRI scan: An MRI can provide a detailed image of the tendon so your doctor can see the tissue’s structure and thickness and look for tears.
    • Ultrasound: An ultrasound may show swelling of a tendon, which may be a sign of tendonitis.
    • X-ray: Tendons and other soft tissues aren’t visible on X-rays. However, your physician may order an X-ray to look for other potential causes of your symptoms, such as bone spurs.

Tendonitis treatment 

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The main goals of treating tendinitis are to ease discomfort and reduce swelling. In most cases, self-care like rest, ice and over-the-counter pain relievers can help. However, it may take several months to recover fully.

Lifestyle and home remedies

To treat tendinitis at home, follow the R.I.C.E. method: rest, ice, compression and elevation. These steps can help reduce pain, speed recovery and prevent further issues.

  • Rest: Take a break from activities that make the pain or swelling worse. Don’t push through the pain—your body needs time to heal. You can still do low-impact activities that don’t strain the injured tendon, like swimming or water exercises.
  • Ice: Apply ice to the affected area for up to 20 minutes several times a day to reduce pain, swelling and muscle spasms. You can use an ice pack, try ice massage, or make a slush bath with ice and water. For ice massage, freeze a paper cup of water and rub the ice directly on the skin.
  • Compression: Wrap the injured area with an elastic bandage or wrap to reduce swelling and prevent stiffness. Be sure to wrap it snugly, but not too tightly.
  • Elevation: If the injury is in your lower extremity, raise your leg above the level of your heart to help reduce swelling.

While rest is important for healing, keeping your joint completely still for too long can lead to stiffness. After a few days, gently stretch and move the joint through its full range of motion to keep it flexible.

Medication

While you rest the tendon and use heat or ice to treat pain and swelling, you can also manage symptoms with medication.

  • Corticosteroid injections: Only available at a medical facility with a medical provider’s prescription, these injections can reduce tendon pain and inflammation.
  • Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs): Over-the-counter medications, such as aspirin and ibuprofen, can help with pain and swelling related to inflammation.

Physical therapy

You may also benefit from physical therapy. Physical therapists can show you stretches and exercises to reduce inflammation, improve range of motion and boost strength. They can also help you understand how to reduce the risk of tendonitis in the future.

Surgery and other procedures

Rarely, some cases of tendonitis don’t respond to conservative treatments, leaving surgery as the best option to fix the problem. Your provider can help you decide whether surgery makes sense for you based on how you’ve fared with other treatments and the goals you want to achieve.

Tendonitis surgeries vary according to the affected tendon and the severity of the condition. Common tendonitis surgeries include:

  • Debridement: The surgeon removes damaged areas of the tendon and reattaches the healthy portions.
  • Tendon repair: If the tendon is torn, the surgeon will sew the damaged parts back together. If you’ve experienced a severe injury, the surgeon may use an artificial tendon or a piece of tendon from elsewhere in your body to repair the damage.

Locations

We offer several locations for your care, including orthopedic specialty centers in North and Central Texas.

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Frequently asked questions

  • How long does tendonitis last?

    With rest and other forms of treatment, tendonitis often heals in two to three weeks. If you have severe inflammation, however, healing may take several months.

  • Does tendonitis go away?

    In some cases, tendonitis may heal on its own eventually, but you shouldn’t count on that. Early diagnosis and treatment can relieve symptoms sooner, help you return to activities faster and reduce the risk of inflammation becoming chronic.

  • Can tendonitis cause stiffness?

    Yes, tendonitis can cause stiffness in the affected joint, especially after resting or being inactive. The inflammation limits movement, but gentle movement can help relieve it. Stiffness can happen in areas like the shoulder, elbow, knee, wrist or Achilles tendon and is usually more common when you wake up.

  • What is the difference between ligaments and tendons?

    Ligaments connect bones and help stabilize joints, while tendons connect muscles to bones, allowing movement. A sprain happens when a ligament is stretched or torn, while a strain refers to a stretched or torn tendon or muscle.

  • How do you strengthen tendons?

    To strengthen tendons, try exercises like weightlifting, controlled stretching and balance work. Start slowly and gradually increase intensity. Short bursts of activity, along with slow, controlled movements, help too. Be sure to get plenty of rest to support recovery and tendon health.

  • Does massage help tendonitis?

    Yes, massage can help tendonitis by reducing swelling and improving range of motion. Before trying massage for tendonitis, however, ask your physician whether it’s appropriate for you and which type of massage would be most beneficial.

  • Is physical therapy needed for tendonitis?

    Yes, physical therapy can be effective for treating tendonitis. It helps strengthen muscles, improve flexibility and reduce pain through techniques like massage and movement exercises. Therapists also teach proper posture and movement habits to prevent further strain on the tendon. Additional treatments may include ice, heat and electrical therapy.