What Is Tendonitis? Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment Options

Tendonitis is the inflammation of a tendon, the tough cord that connects muscles to bones. This common condition can affect people of all ages, particularly those who engage in repetitive activities like carpentry, music, or sports.

In this article, we’ll dive deeper into the symptoms, causes, and treatment options for tendonitis, so you can take the right steps toward relief.

Whether you’re dealing with minor discomfort or persistent pain, seeking care early can help you manage symptoms and prevent further damage. NextCare offers professional treatment for orthopedic injuries, including tendonitis.

What are the most Common Types of Tendonitis?

While tendonitis can affect various parts of the body, some locations are more frequently impacted than others. Understanding these common types can help you identify if your pain stems from tendonitis. Let’s explore some common types of tendonitis:

Achilles Tendonitis

Anyone who enjoys running or playing sports that involve jumping is familiar with the Achilles tendon. It’s that powerful cord running down the back of your ankle. Achilles tendonitis, as its name suggests, is an inflammation of this tendon. Overuse, improper footwear, and tight calf muscles are common culprits behind this type of tendonitis.

Tennis Elbow (Lateral Epicondylitis)

Despite its name, tennis elbow isn’t exclusive to tennis players. Anyone who repeatedly uses their wrist extensor muscles, like painters, plumbers, or those who spend long hours typing, can experience inflammation in the tendons on the outer part of the elbow, leading to the characteristic pain of tennis elbow.

Tennis elbow, also known as lateral epicondylitis, is frequently brought on by repetitive movements or overuse of the wrist extensor muscles. This can lead to pain and difficulty with everyday tasks such as gripping objects.

Golfer’s Elbow (Medial Epicondylitis)

Similar to tennis elbow, golfer’s elbow affects the tendons on the inside of the elbow. It’s often associated with activities like golfing, baseball, or any motion that involves repeatedly flexing the wrist against resistance. This can make it painful to fully extend your arm or grip objects.

De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis

This type of tendonitis targets the tendons on the thumb side of your wrist, causing pain and difficulty gripping. New mothers, texters, and those whose jobs require repetitive hand movements are particularly prone to this condition. This form of tendinitis happens when the sheath surrounding the tendons between the thumb and wrist becomes inflamed, leading to pain, swelling, and difficulty moving the thumb.

What Causes Tendonitis?

Tendonitis usually isn’t caused by a single, isolated incident. It tends to develop gradually over time, triggered by a combination of factors such as overuse, repetitive motion, and aging. Let’s explore these causes in more detail:

Repetitive Motions

Performing the same movement repeatedly puts continuous stress on your tendons, causing microscopic tears that, over time, lead to inflammation. Imagine constantly typing on a keyboard or lifting heavy objects with the same motion – this can strain the tendons in your wrists, hands, or elbows, increasing the risk of tendonitis.

Overuse

Increasing the intensity or duration of your activities too quickly, such as doubling your running mileage or starting a new, demanding workout routine without proper preparation, can overwhelm your tendons. Your body needs time to adapt to increased stress, so a gradual approach to activity modifications is crucial to prevent tendonitis.

Age

As we age, our tendons naturally lose some of their flexibility and become more prone to injury. This is because the collagen fibers that make up our tendons become less elastic and more prone to tearing. That’s why tendinitis is more common in people over 40.

Additionally, years of repetitive movements and wear and tear can take their toll, making older adults more susceptible to tendon inflammation.

Improper Technique

Whether playing sports, working out, or even sitting at a computer, incorrect posture or technique can place undue stress on certain tendons. For example, imagine lifting heavy boxes with your back rather than your legs – this improper lifting technique could increase the risk of tendonitis in your back, shoulder, or even elbows.

Similarly, poor posture while typing can strain the tendons in your wrists and forearms, leading to conditions like carpal tunnel syndrome or De Quervain’s tenosynovitis.

Recognizing the Red Flags: Tendonitis Symptoms

Understanding the signs and symptoms of tendonitis is crucial to seeking timely treatment. The tricky part is that symptoms can vary in intensity depending on the severity of the condition. Early recognition allows you to make lifestyle adjustments and implement preventive measures that can stop the issue in its tracks. Let’s delve into the warning signs your body might be sending:

Pain

Pain is the most common symptom of tendonitis. It’s often described as a dull ache or soreness around the affected tendon, worsening with movement or activity. The pain might be mild initially, but don’t dismiss it. That early warning sign could be your cue to slow down and address the root cause before it escalates.

Tenderness

The area around the affected tendon might feel tender to the touch. You may notice this even when you’re not moving the injured area, making even light pressure uncomfortable.

Stiffness

You might experience stiffness in the joint associated with the inflamed tendon, particularly in the mornings or after a period of inactivity. This stiffness often reduces with gentle movement, but it’s essential not to ignore it as it can be an early indicator of tendonitis.

Swelling

Inflammation of the tendon can sometimes lead to noticeable swelling around the affected area. The swelling may be accompanied by warmth and redness, further indicating an inflammatory response.

Decreased Range of Motion

As tendonitis progresses, you might find it difficult to move the affected joint through its full range of motion. The pain and stiffness associated with tendon inflammation can limit your flexibility and make it challenging to perform everyday tasks. For example, tendonitis in your shoulder can make it difficult to reach overhead or behind your back, while tendonitis in your wrist can affect your ability to grip objects.

Crepitus

In some cases, you might feel a grating sensation or hear a clicking or popping sound when you move the affected tendon. This is known as crepitus and can occur when the inflamed tendon rubs against surrounding tissues.

Taming the Inflammation: Treatment Options for Tendonitis

Once you suspect tendonitis, getting an accurate diagnosis from a healthcare provider is important. They will likely perform a physical exam, asking about your symptoms, medical history, and any activities that might be contributing to your pain. Imaging tests, such as X-rays or ultrasounds, may be used to rule out other conditions or to assess the severity of the tendon damage. Based on the diagnosis, your healthcare provider will recommend a treatment plan tailored to your needs.

RICE (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation)

Think of RICE as the first aid for tendonitis, especially during the initial inflammatory phase. This involves resting the affected area to avoid further strain on the tendon, applying ice packs wrapped in a towel for 10-15 minutes at a time to reduce inflammation, compressing the area with a bandage to minimize swelling, and elevating the injured area to further reduce inflammation and promote healing.

Applying ice for 10-15 minutes once or twice per day can significantly reduce inflammation and pain, especially in the acute stage of tendonitis.

Medication

Over-the-counter pain relievers, such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) or naproxen (Aleve), are often recommended to manage pain and inflammation associated with tendonitis. These medications, classified as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), work by blocking the production of prostaglandins, substances in the body that cause pain and inflammation.

In some cases, if over-the-counter pain relievers are not providing sufficient relief, your healthcare provider might prescribe stronger medications or corticosteroid injections for short-term pain management, especially if the pain is severe or interfering with your daily activities.

Physical Therapy

Physical therapy plays a crucial role in rehabilitating the affected tendon. Your physical therapist will design a personalized exercise program to address your specific needs and help you regain full function. This may involve various techniques, such as:

• ⊕ Stretching exercises to improve flexibility and range of motion in the affected joint. These exercises help lengthen the muscles and tendons, reducing stiffness and pain.
• ⊕ Strengthening exercises to build strength and stability in the muscles surrounding the affected tendon, providing better support and reducing the risk of re-injury. Examples include eccentric exercises, which involve slowly lowering a weight after lifting it, and isometric exercises, which involve contracting the muscles without moving the joint.
• ⊕ Ultrasound therapy to promote healing by delivering deep heat to the affected tissues, increasing blood flow, and reducing inflammation.
• ⊕ Manual therapy techniques, such as massage and mobilization, to release muscle tension, improve joint mobility, and reduce pain.

Physical therapy can help you regain strength, flexibility, and function, allowing you to return to your normal activities without pain or limitations. For some, physical therapy is incredibly helpful, and sometimes it is even suggested that you receive joint injections to reduce inflammation and pain.

Surgery

While surgery is rarely needed for tendonitis, your doctor may consider it if other treatment options prove ineffective after several months or if you have a tendon rupture that requires surgical repair.

Surgery for tendonitis typically involves removing any damaged tissue and repairing the tendon. Recovery from tendon surgery can take several months and may include wearing a brace or cast, followed by physical therapy to regain strength and mobility.

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