Tendonitis | Baylor Scott & White Health

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.

Woman playing pickleball after recovering from treatment for tendonitis

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

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.

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.

tendonitis suffering able to get back on the treadmill after treatment

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.

Tendonitis treatment

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.

Locations

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

Baylor Scott & White - The Brenham Clinic

600 N Park St , Brenham, TX, 77833

Baylor Scott & White - The Brenham Clinic

600 N Park St , Brenham, TX, 77833

What is tendonitis?

Types of tendonitis

Tendonitis symptoms

When to see a doctor

What causes tendonitis?

Tendonitis risk factors

Aging

Complications

How is tendonitis diagnosed?

Medical history and exam

Imaging

Tendonitis treatment

Lifestyle and home remedies

Locations

Frequently asked questions

How long does tendonitis last?

Does tendonitis go away?

Can tendonitis cause stiffness?

What is the difference between ligaments and tendons?

How do you strengthen tendons?

Does massage help tendonitis?

Is physical therapy needed for tendonitis?

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