Tendonitis is the inflammation or irritation of a tendon - the thick connective tissue between bones and muscle. This inflammation can be acute (short-term) or chronic (long-term), and commonly affects the shoulders, elbows, wrists, hips, knees, and Achilles tendon.
Common symptoms of tendonitis include:
Pain (usually an ache) in the inflamed area
Swelling
Tenderness
Loss of mobility
Tendonitis is commonly caused by repeated impact movements or a sudden injury.
Common conditions related to tendonitis include:
- Tennis elbow: tendonitis in the elbow and wrist that comes from repeated impact with improper form.
- Golfer’s elbow: tendonitis that occurs in the inner part of the elbow, resulting from poor swing form.
- Rotator cuff tendonitis: Rotator cuff inflammation commonly occurs in baseball players and swimmers as a result of repetitive throwing or swimming motions.
In addition to repetitive motion, you may be at greater risk of developing tendonitis as you get older, or if your occupation involves:
Overhead pressing/ reaching
Scrubbing
Shoveling
Frequent impact/ vibration in the elbow and shoulder
Many cases of tendonitis will begin to heal with self-care methods and rest. However, if you continue to perform the aggravating activity, or do not treat the inflammation, the tendon may rupture - a condition that may require surgery.
If you are experiencing a persistent ache around a certain joint, talk to your health care provider. While most instances of tendonitis do not require emergency medical attention, it is better to begin treatment early - to avoid further aggravating the injury.
Treatment Options
Below are common treatment options for tendonitis, and tendon injuries. During your appointment, talk to your provider about the treatment plan that’s right for you.
Most cases of tendonitis can be treated with self-care strategies such as:
- Rest: Your injury needs time to heal. Avoid any activities that involve or impact the affected area. Trying to perform activities through the pain will only make the injury and pain worse. Talk to your doctor or a physical therapist about things you can do to stay active while avoiding impact on the inflamed tendon.
- Ice: Apply ice to the affected area for 15-30 minutes, 3-5 times a day to reduce swelling and relieve pain.
- Take a pain reliever: Over-the-counter pain medicine such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) and acetaminophen (Tylenol) can help reduce inflammation in the affected area and relieve pain.
To regain mobility and correct muscle imbalances that may be further aggravating your tendonitis, talk to a licensed physical therapist about creating a routine to stretch and strengthen the affected area. Not only can this help treat a current case of tendonitis, but may also prevent future injury.
For acute cases of tendonitis, your doctor may recommend an injection of corticosteroids into the affected area to quickly reduce inflammation and relieve pain.
Surgery for tendonitis is usually reserved for instances when other treatments have failed to relieve the condition, or if the injury is severe; for instance, if the tendon has torn away from the bone.