Tendinitis Overview
Learn About Tendinitis
Tendons are the fibrous structures that join muscles to bones. When these tendons become swollen or inflamed, it is called tendinitis. In many cases, tendinosis (tendon degeneration) is also present.
Calcific tendinitis; Bicipital tendinitis
Tendinitis can occur as a result of injury or overuse. Playing sports is a common cause. Tendinitis also can occur with aging as the tendon loses elasticity. Body-wide (systemic) diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis or diabetes, can also lead to tendinitis.
Tendinitis can occur in any tendon. Commonly affected sites include the:
- Elbow
- Heel (Achilles tendinitis)
- Knee
- Shoulder
- Thumb
- Wrist
Symptoms of tendinitis may vary with activity or cause. Main symptoms may include:
- Pain and tenderness along a tendon, usually near a joint
- Pain at night
- Pain that is worse with movement or activity
- Stiffness in the morning
The goal of treatment is to relieve pain and reduce inflammation.
The provider will recommend resting the affected tendon to help it recover. This may be done using a splint or a removable brace. Applying heat or cold to the affected area can help.
Over-the-counter pain relievers such as NSAIDs like aspirin or ibuprofen, can also reduce both pain and inflammation. Steroid injections into the tendon sheath can also be very useful for controlling pain.
The provider may also suggest physical therapy to stretch and strengthen the muscle and tendon. This can restore the tendon's ability to function properly, improve healing, and prevent future injury.
In rare cases, surgery is needed to remove the inflamed tissue from around the tendon.
University Hospitals Medical Group Inc
Robert Gillespie is an Orthopedics provider in Cleveland, Ohio. Dr. Gillespie and is rated as a Distinguished provider by MediFind in the treatment of Tendinitis. His top areas of expertise are Osteoarthritis, Tendinitis, Bursitis, Shoulder Arthroscopy, and Endoscopy. Dr. Gillespie is currently accepting new patients.
University Hospitals Medical Group Inc
Shana Miskovsky is an Orthopedics provider in Cleveland, Ohio. Dr. Miskovsky and is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Tendinitis. Her top areas of expertise are Flat Feet, Osteoarthritis, Tendinitis, and Achilles Tendon Rupture. Dr. Miskovsky is currently accepting new patients.
The Metrohealth System
Anas Saleh is an Orthopedics provider in Cleveland, Ohio. Dr. Saleh has been practicing medicine for over 14 years and is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Tendinitis. His top areas of expertise are Osteoarthritis, Infectious Arthritis, Septic Arthritis, Knee Replacement, and Hip Replacement. Dr. Saleh is currently accepting new patients.
Symptoms improve with treatment and rest. If the injury is caused by overuse, a change in work habits may be needed to prevent the problem from coming back.
Complications of tendinitis may include:
- Long-term inflammation raises the risk for further injury, such as rupture
- Return of tendinitis symptoms
Call for an appointment with your provider if symptoms of tendinitis occur.
Tendinitis can be prevented by:
- Avoiding repetitive motions and overuse of the arms and legs.
- Keeping all your muscles strong and flexible.
- Doing warm up exercises at a relaxed pace before vigorous activity.
Summary: This prospective randomised clinical trial aims to evaluate the effectiveness of treatment for mid-portion Achilles tendinopathy in a real-world clinical setting, minimising the excessive control typically associated with explanatory studies. The primary focus is to assess the mechanical effects of high-volume image-guided injection in combination with rehabilitation exercises over three months. A...
Summary: There is a high prevalence of chronic pain in our society, which is detrimental at an individual and country level. Cannabidiol (CBD) has been proposed as a promising treatment for chronic pain, although more high-quality studies are needed in this area. On the other hand, triathlon has an increasing professionalism and importance, albeit not exempt from injuries. The main goal of this study is to...
Published Date: July 25, 2022
Published By: Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Clinical Professor, Department of Family Medicine, UW Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
Biundo JJ. Bursitis, tendinitis, and other periarticular disorders and sports medicine. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 26th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 247.
Geiderman JM, Torbati S. General principles of orthopedic injuries. In: Walls RM, ed. Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 41.