Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsCausesLocationsDiagnosisTreatmentPreventionFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Symptoms
Causes
Locations
Diagnosis
Treatment
Prevention
Frequently Asked Questions
Tendonitis (also spelled tendinitis) is inflammation or irritation of atendon, the flexible, fibrous cords that connect muscles to bones.Tendonitis causes pain, swelling, loss of mobility, and decreased joint strength.
This article discusses tendonitis and its symptoms. It also explains when tendonitis warrants medical attention, possible causes, and common locations. It also details how tendonitis is diagnosed, treated, and prevented.
Verywell / Jessica Olah
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Tendonitis Symptoms
Tendonitis generally causes sudden pain and inflammation. In some cases, though, symptoms come on gradually, often after a period of excessive activity but no significant injury.
The most common symptoms of tendonitis include:
When to See a Healthcare Provider
You should see a healthcare provider for tendonitis:
Tendonitis Causes
Common causes of tendonitis include:
Direct injury—such as a blow to the tendon—can also cause tendonitis. So can inflammatory disorders likerheumatoid arthritisandosteoarthritis.
Risk Factors
Factors that make you more likely to develop tendonitis are:
Job-related risk factors include:
Some of these risk factors (like age) can’t be changed. However, you do have control over some of them. You may want to explore safety measures you can take at work or while playing sports.
What Is Tendinopathy?Tendinopathy is an umbrella term that refers to any abnormal condition of the tendon. This includes tendonitis and other conditions that cause tendon pain, inflammation, and limited mobility.
What Is Tendinopathy?
Tendinopathy is an umbrella term that refers to any abnormal condition of the tendon. This includes tendonitis and other conditions that cause tendon pain, inflammation, and limited mobility.
Common Tendonitis Types and Locations
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Tendonitis Diagnosis
Healthcare providers often diagnose tendonitis based on a description of your symptoms and a physical examination.
If the cause isn’t clear, they may order additional tests such asX-raysandmagnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
MRI shows the soft tissues, so it’s good for spotting tendon problems. X-rays are more useful for ruling out injuries to the bone.
Tendonitis vs. TendinosisTendonitis isn’t the same as tendinosis, which is a condition that includes structural tendon degeneration. Imaging can tell a healthcare provider if you’re dealing with one or the other.
Tendonitis vs. Tendinosis
Tendonitis isn’t the same as tendinosis, which is a condition that includes structural tendon degeneration. Imaging can tell a healthcare provider if you’re dealing with one or the other.
Tendonitis Treatment
The main objective of tendonitis treatment is to minimize movements that can further inflame the tendon. Depending on where it is, you may need to reduce or modify everyday tasks like driving or typing until symptoms are fully settled.
To start treating tendonitis before you see a healthcare provider, you can use:
R.I.C.E. for Injuries
Medical treatment of tendonitis involves three elements:
As part of this, you may be given a wrist, brace, or splint to wear. It can help immobilize and relieve pressure on the afflicted tendon.
You may also benefit fromsteroid injections, physical therapy, or, in severe cases, surgery.
Tendonitis Prevention
If you’re at risk of tendonitis, you may want to take steps to prevent it (or keep it from coming back).
If you’re an athlete:
Sports Injuries: Prevention and Rehabilitation
At work or when performing daily tasks:
You can also look at modifiable risk factors, such as smoking and your weight.
Summary
Common locations are the Achilles tendon, knee, wrist, elbow, bicep, and shoulder. Common symptoms are pain, swelling, and stiffness.
Frequently Asked QuestionsTendonitis treatment may involve rest, ice, compression, and elevation (R.I.C.E.); pain medications or corticosteroid injections; and an exercise plan or physical therapy. Severe cases may require surgery.Learn MoreHow Tendonitis Is TreatedYes, tendonitis can affect the arm. You can have it in the shoulder, elbow, biceps, or wrist.Yes, certain diseases like rheumatoid arthritis and diabetes can cause or raise your risk of tendon pain. These are systemic (body-wide) diseases that can eventually lead to tendonitis.
Tendonitis treatment may involve rest, ice, compression, and elevation (R.I.C.E.); pain medications or corticosteroid injections; and an exercise plan or physical therapy. Severe cases may require surgery.Learn MoreHow Tendonitis Is Treated
Tendonitis treatment may involve rest, ice, compression, and elevation (R.I.C.E.); pain medications or corticosteroid injections; and an exercise plan or physical therapy. Severe cases may require surgery.
Learn MoreHow Tendonitis Is Treated
Yes, tendonitis can affect the arm. You can have it in the shoulder, elbow, biceps, or wrist.
Yes, certain diseases like rheumatoid arthritis and diabetes can cause or raise your risk of tendon pain. These are systemic (body-wide) diseases that can eventually lead to tendonitis.
10 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Scott A, Backman LJ, Speed C.Tendinopathy: Update on pathophysiology.J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2015;45(11):833-841. doi:10.2519/jospt.2015.5884University of Rochester Medical Center.The best ways to treat, prevent tendonitis.Murtagh, B. and Ihm, J.Eccentric training for the treatment of tendinopathies.Current Sports Medicine Report.2013; 12(3):175-181. doi:10.1249/JSR.0b013e3182933761Hospital for Special Surgery.Tendonitis / tendinitis.Franceschi F, Papalia R, Paciotti M, et al.Obesity as a risk factor for tendinopathy: a systematic review.Int J Endocrinol. 2014;2014:670262. doi:10.1155/2014/670262Leong HT, Fu SC, He X, Oh JH, Yamamoto N, Hang S.Risk factors for rotator cuff tendinopathy: A systematic review and meta-analysis.J Rehabil Med. 2019;51(9):627-637. doi:10.2340/16501977-2598Ackermann PW, Renström P.Tendinopathy in sport.Sports Health. 2012;4(3):193-201. doi:10.1177/1941738112440957American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons: OrthoInfo.Smoking and musculoskeletal health.Bass E.Tendinopathy: why the difference between tendinitis and tendinosis matters.Int J Ther Massage Bodywork. 2012;5(1):14-17. doi:10.3822/ijtmb.v5i1.153National Institutes of Health, U.S. National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Tendinitis.
10 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Scott A, Backman LJ, Speed C.Tendinopathy: Update on pathophysiology.J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2015;45(11):833-841. doi:10.2519/jospt.2015.5884University of Rochester Medical Center.The best ways to treat, prevent tendonitis.Murtagh, B. and Ihm, J.Eccentric training for the treatment of tendinopathies.Current Sports Medicine Report.2013; 12(3):175-181. doi:10.1249/JSR.0b013e3182933761Hospital for Special Surgery.Tendonitis / tendinitis.Franceschi F, Papalia R, Paciotti M, et al.Obesity as a risk factor for tendinopathy: a systematic review.Int J Endocrinol. 2014;2014:670262. doi:10.1155/2014/670262Leong HT, Fu SC, He X, Oh JH, Yamamoto N, Hang S.Risk factors for rotator cuff tendinopathy: A systematic review and meta-analysis.J Rehabil Med. 2019;51(9):627-637. doi:10.2340/16501977-2598Ackermann PW, Renström P.Tendinopathy in sport.Sports Health. 2012;4(3):193-201. doi:10.1177/1941738112440957American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons: OrthoInfo.Smoking and musculoskeletal health.Bass E.Tendinopathy: why the difference between tendinitis and tendinosis matters.Int J Ther Massage Bodywork. 2012;5(1):14-17. doi:10.3822/ijtmb.v5i1.153National Institutes of Health, U.S. National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Tendinitis.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Scott A, Backman LJ, Speed C.Tendinopathy: Update on pathophysiology.J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2015;45(11):833-841. doi:10.2519/jospt.2015.5884University of Rochester Medical Center.The best ways to treat, prevent tendonitis.Murtagh, B. and Ihm, J.Eccentric training for the treatment of tendinopathies.Current Sports Medicine Report.2013; 12(3):175-181. doi:10.1249/JSR.0b013e3182933761Hospital for Special Surgery.Tendonitis / tendinitis.Franceschi F, Papalia R, Paciotti M, et al.Obesity as a risk factor for tendinopathy: a systematic review.Int J Endocrinol. 2014;2014:670262. doi:10.1155/2014/670262Leong HT, Fu SC, He X, Oh JH, Yamamoto N, Hang S.Risk factors for rotator cuff tendinopathy: A systematic review and meta-analysis.J Rehabil Med. 2019;51(9):627-637. doi:10.2340/16501977-2598Ackermann PW, Renström P.Tendinopathy in sport.Sports Health. 2012;4(3):193-201. doi:10.1177/1941738112440957American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons: OrthoInfo.Smoking and musculoskeletal health.Bass E.Tendinopathy: why the difference between tendinitis and tendinosis matters.Int J Ther Massage Bodywork. 2012;5(1):14-17. doi:10.3822/ijtmb.v5i1.153National Institutes of Health, U.S. National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Tendinitis.
Scott A, Backman LJ, Speed C.Tendinopathy: Update on pathophysiology.J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2015;45(11):833-841. doi:10.2519/jospt.2015.5884
University of Rochester Medical Center.The best ways to treat, prevent tendonitis.
Murtagh, B. and Ihm, J.Eccentric training for the treatment of tendinopathies.Current Sports Medicine Report.2013; 12(3):175-181. doi:10.1249/JSR.0b013e3182933761
Hospital for Special Surgery.Tendonitis / tendinitis.
Franceschi F, Papalia R, Paciotti M, et al.Obesity as a risk factor for tendinopathy: a systematic review.Int J Endocrinol. 2014;2014:670262. doi:10.1155/2014/670262
Leong HT, Fu SC, He X, Oh JH, Yamamoto N, Hang S.Risk factors for rotator cuff tendinopathy: A systematic review and meta-analysis.J Rehabil Med. 2019;51(9):627-637. doi:10.2340/16501977-2598
Ackermann PW, Renström P.Tendinopathy in sport.Sports Health. 2012;4(3):193-201. doi:10.1177/1941738112440957
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons: OrthoInfo.Smoking and musculoskeletal health.
Bass E.Tendinopathy: why the difference between tendinitis and tendinosis matters.Int J Ther Massage Bodywork. 2012;5(1):14-17. doi:10.3822/ijtmb.v5i1.153
National Institutes of Health, U.S. National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Tendinitis.
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