What is Tendinitis? Symptoms, Causes, & Treatment

Tendinitis is inflammation of a tendon, the thick cord that connects your muscle to bone. When these rope-like structures become irritated or injured, they can cause pain and limit your movement in that area.

This common condition can affect any tendon in your body, but it most often occurs in your shoulders, elbows, wrists, knees, and heels. The good news is that tendinitis usually responds well to rest and proper treatment, allowing most people to return to their normal activities.

What are the symptoms of tendinitis?

The main symptom of tendinitis is pain at the site where your tendon attaches to bone. This pain typically develops gradually and feels worse when you move the affected area.

You might notice these common signs as your body signals that something needs attention:

• Aching or burning sensation near the affected joint
• Pain that worsens with movement or activity
• Stiffness, especially in the morning
• Mild swelling or tenderness around the tendon
• A grating feeling when you move the tendon

In some cases, you might experience more noticeable swelling or a warm feeling around the affected area. These symptoms often start mild and can gradually worsen if the tendon continues to be stressed without proper rest.

What are the types of tendinitis?

Tendinitis gets its name from the specific tendon that's affected. Each type has its own pattern of pain and movement problems.

Here are the most common types you might encounter:

• Tennis elbow - affects the outer part of your elbow
• Golfer's elbow - causes pain on the inner side of your elbow
• Pitcher's shoulder - involves the rotator cuff tendons
• Swimmer's shoulder - another form of shoulder tendinitis
• Jumper's knee - affects the tendon below your kneecap
• Achilles tendinitis - occurs in the back of your ankle

Less common types include wrist tendinitis from repetitive hand movements and hip tendinitis that can affect your ability to walk comfortably. The location of your pain usually helps identify which type you're experiencing.

What causes tendinitis?

Tendinitis typically develops when you put repeated stress on a tendon over time. Think of it like a rope that gets frayed from too much use without enough rest to recover.

The most common causes include activities and factors that strain your tendons:

• Repetitive motions from sports, work, or hobbies
• Sudden increase in activity level or intensity
• Poor technique during sports or exercise
• Age-related changes that make tendons less flexible
• Previous injury to the area
• Certain medications like fluoroquinolone antibiotics

Sometimes tendinitis can develop from a single incident, like lifting something heavy with poor form. However, most cases build up gradually as small amounts of damage accumulate faster than your body can repair them.

When to see a doctor for tendinitis?

You should contact your doctor if your pain interferes with daily activities or doesn't improve with rest and basic care. Most tendinitis responds well to home treatment, but professional help ensures proper healing.

Seek medical attention if you experience any of these concerning signs:

• Severe pain that prevents you from moving the joint
• Pain that continues for more than a few days despite rest
• Signs of infection like fever, redness, or warmth
• Numbness or tingling in the affected area
• Complete inability to move the joint

Don't wait if you suspect a tendon rupture, which feels like a sudden snap followed by severe pain and inability to use that muscle. This rare but serious condition requires immediate medical care to prevent permanent damage.

What are the risk factors for tendinitis?

Certain factors can make you more likely to develop tendinitis. Understanding these can help you take steps to protect your tendons before problems start.

These common factors increase your risk of developing tendinitis:

• Age over 40, when tendons become less elastic
• Jobs requiring repetitive motions or awkward positions
• Playing sports with repetitive arm or leg movements
• Having diabetes, which affects healing
• Rheumatoid arthritis or other inflammatory conditions
• Previous tendon injuries in the same area

Less common risk factors include certain genetic conditions that affect connective tissue and some medications that can weaken tendons. Even if you have risk factors, proper technique and gradual activity progression can help prevent problems.

What are the possible complications of tendinitis?

Most tendinitis heals completely with proper treatment and doesn't cause long-term problems. However, ignoring the condition or returning to activities too quickly can lead to complications.

Here are potential complications that can develop if tendinitis isn't properly managed:

• Chronic tendinitis that becomes a long-term problem
• Tendon rupture from continued stress on weakened tissue
• Permanent stiffness or reduced range of motion
• Development of bone spurs around the affected tendon
• Compensatory injuries from favoring the affected area

Rarely, untreated tendinitis can lead to tendon degeneration, where the tissue breaks down and loses its ability to function properly. This is why following your treatment plan and allowing adequate healing time is so important for your long-term joint health.

How can tendinitis be prevented?

You can significantly reduce your risk of tendinitis by taking care of your tendons during activities. Prevention focuses on avoiding the repetitive stress that leads to inflammation.

These practical strategies can help protect your tendons:

• Warm up properly before exercise or physical activity
• Gradually increase activity intensity rather than making sudden changes
• Use proper technique during sports and work activities
• Take regular breaks during repetitive tasks
• Strengthen muscles around commonly affected joints
• Maintain good flexibility through gentle stretching

Pay attention to early warning signs like mild aching after activity. Addressing these early signals with rest and gentle care can prevent minor irritation from becoming full-blown tendinitis.

How is tendinitis diagnosed?

Your doctor can usually diagnose tendinitis by examining the affected area and learning about your symptoms and activities. The diagnosis often becomes clear through a physical examination and your description of when the pain occurs.

During your visit, your doctor will typically check for tenderness, swelling, and range of motion around the affected tendon. They may ask you to move the joint in specific ways to see which movements cause pain and determine the severity of the condition.

In some cases, your doctor might order imaging tests like ultrasound or MRI to get a clearer picture of the tendon and rule out other conditions. These tests are particularly helpful if your symptoms are severe or if the diagnosis isn't clear from the physical examination alone.

What is the treatment for tendinitis?

Treatment for tendinitis focuses on reducing inflammation and allowing the tendon to heal. The good news is that most cases respond well to conservative treatment without needing surgery.

Your doctor will likely recommend a combination of these proven treatments:

• Rest from activities that worsen the pain
• Ice application for 15-20 minutes several times daily
• Over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen or acetaminophen
• Gentle stretching and strengthening exercises
• Physical therapy to improve movement and prevent recurrence
• Corticosteroid injections for severe or persistent cases

For chronic or severe tendinitis, your doctor might suggest newer treatments like platelet-rich plasma therapy or extracorporeal shock wave therapy. Surgery is rarely needed but might be considered if conservative treatment doesn't help after several months.

How to take home treatment during tendinitis?

Home treatment forms the foundation of tendinitis care and can be very effective when done consistently. The key is being patient and giving your tendon time to heal while staying active in ways that don't worsen the inflammation.

Start with these essential home care steps that can provide significant relief:

• Apply ice for 15-20 minutes every 2-3 hours during the first few days
• Keep the affected area elevated when possible to reduce swelling
• Take over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications as directed
• Gently move the joint through its range of motion to prevent stiffness
• Avoid activities that caused the problem until pain improves

As your pain decreases, you can gradually return to normal activities. Listen to your body and don't push through significant pain, as this can set back your healing progress.

How should you prepare for your doctor appointment?

Being prepared for your appointment helps your doctor understand your condition better and create the most effective treatment plan. Think about your symptoms and activities before your visit.

Here's what to prepare before your appointment:

• Write down when your pain started and what might have triggered it
• List activities that make your pain better or worse
• Note any medications or treatments you've already tried
• Prepare questions about returning to activities you enjoy
• Bring a list of all medications and supplements you take

Consider keeping a simple pain diary for a few days before your visit, noting when pain occurs and its intensity. This information helps your doctor understand the pattern and severity of your condition.

What's the key takeaway about tendinitis?

Tendinitis is a common, treatable condition that usually heals well with proper care and patience. While it can be frustrating to deal with pain and activity limitations, most people recover completely and return to their normal routines.

The most important things to remember are to rest the affected tendon, manage pain and inflammation, and gradually return to activities as healing progresses. Don't try to push through severe pain, as this can delay recovery and potentially cause more serious problems.

With consistent treatment and prevention strategies, you can not only heal from current tendinitis but also reduce your risk of future episodes. Your tendons are remarkably good at healing when given the right conditions and time to recover.