Tendinitis is a soft-tissue injury caused by inflammation and swelling of a tendon—the tough, fibrous cord that connects muscle to bone. It can result from a sudden injury or from repetitive motions at home, at work, or during exercise. In some people, tendinitis is linked to inflammatory rheumatic disease, metabolic imbalance, or the use of certain medicines (such as fluoroquinolone antibiotics or statins).

Tendinitis most often affects the shoulders, elbows, wrists, knees, and ankles, causing localized tenderness and pain near joints. With prompt care it’s usually manageable, but if treatment is delayed or incomplete it can become a long-term issue with recurrent pain and, rarely, tendon rupture. Athletes, people who exercise regularly, and adults over 40 have higher risk.

Tendinitis Symptoms

Pain and swelling at or around the tendon are the hallmark features. Severity varies by case and activity level.

Common Symptoms:

  • Pain and tenderness on a tendon and near a joint

  • Visible or palpable swelling

  • Thickening of the tendon

  • Muscle weakness or reduced grip

  • Night pain around the tendon

  • Pain that worsens with motion or lingers for hours after activity

  • Morning joint or muscle stiffness

  • Persistent dull pain even at rest

  • Pain that limits or prevents joint movement

When To Seek Care:

  • Symptoms that steadily worsen over 3–6 weeks

  • Increasing redness, warmth, or swelling around a joint

What Causes Tendinitis

Tendinitis develops when a tendon is overloaded and inflamed. Triggers include repetitive motion, acute injury, medical conditions, and certain drugs.

Repetitive Movements (Mechanical Overload):

  • Sports-related patterns: Tennis Elbow, Golfer’s Elbow, Pitcher’s Shoulder, Jumper’s Knee

  • Daily activities: typing for long periods, gripping tools tightly, painting, repeated overhead work, prolonged driving with a tight grip, cleaning windows/floors

  • Occupational risk: musicians, gardeners, carpenters, assembly-line workers

Medical Conditions That Contribute:

  • Rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, gout

  • Diabetes, hyperthyroidism

  • Chronic pain syndromes or metabolic imbalance

Medications That May Increase Risk:

  • Fluoroquinolone antibiotics (linked to tendinitis and tendon rupture)

  • Statins, systemic glucocorticoids, aromatase inhibitors

Risk Factors

Activity & Equipment Factors:

  • Sudden spikes in training volume or intensity

  • Poor movement mechanics (e.g., abnormal running gait, faulty lifting technique)

  • Worn or inappropriate equipment (e.g., shoes with poor cushioning)

Personal Factors:

  • Age over 40

  • Inadequate recovery, low general conditioning

  • Insufficient flexibility or strength in supporting muscles

How Is Tendinitis Diagnosed

Diagnosis combines history, exam, and—when needed—imaging to grade severity and rule out rupture.

Medical History:

  • Onset and pattern of pain, recent activity changes, return from inactivity

  • Equipment changes (new racket/shoes), surface changes (e.g., hills/trails)

  • Family history of inflammatory disease

  • Recent use of quinolone antibiotics, statins, aromatase inhibitors, steroids

Physical Examination:

  • Palpation to locate tenderness, thickening, crepitus

  • Functional testing of the involved joint and kinetic chain to rule out rupture

Imaging (If Needed):

  • Ultrasound: tendon thickening, partial tears, neovascularity

  • MRI: detailed view for partial/complete tears, surrounding inflammation

  • X-ray: rules out bony causes; does not show tendon fibers directly

Treatments For Tendinitis

Initial care focuses on pain control, load reduction, and progressive re-loading to restore tendon capacity.

Rest & Activity Modification:

  • Temporarily stop aggravating tasks; swap to low-impact options (e.g., cycling, swimming)

Ice (Cold Therapy):

  • 10–15 minutes, 1–3 times daily during painful phases or after activity

Medicines:

  • Short courses of OTC anti-inflammatories (e.g., ibuprofen, naproxen) or acetaminophen for pain

  • Topical NSAID gels/creams for localized relief

  • Judicious corticosteroid injection may be used in select cases; avoid repeated injections to reduce rupture risk

Structural Supports & Ergonomics:

  • Braces, splints, orthotics, taping to unload the tendon

  • Workspace and technique adjustments (keyboard height, grip size, tool weight)

Physical Therapy:

  • Eccentric and heavy–slow resistance loading programs to rebuild tendon capacity

  • Range-of-motion, flexibility for calves/hamstrings/forearm as relevant

  • Manual therapy and progressive return-to-sport/activity plan

Surgery (Selective):

  • Considered after 6–12 months of structured rehab without improvement or if there’s a complete rupture requiring repair

How To Prevent Tendinitis

Training & Technique:

  • Warm up and mobilize before activity

  • Increase load gradually (no more than ~10% per week as a rule of thumb)

  • Train consistently rather than sporadically; schedule rest days

  • Learn and maintain proper posture and movement mechanics

Equipment & Environment:

  • Wear supportive, well-fitted shoes; replace when worn

  • Use appropriately sized tools/rackets; avoid prolonged forceful gripping

Listen To Symptoms:

  • Stop activities that provoke sharp tendon pain

  • Vary tasks; take micro-breaks during repetitive work

Related Complications

  • Recurrent Tendinopathy: repeated flares with inadequate rehab/load management

  • Partial/Complete Tendon Tear: may require surgical repair (e.g., Achilles tendon; average recovery ~6 months)

Living With Tendinitis

Most people recover well with early load reduction, progressive strengthening, and smarter training habits. Practical steps include:

At-Home Tips:

  • Rest the affected limb during flare-ups

  • Ice 10–15 minutes as needed

  • Use OTC pain relievers short term

  • Begin a guided rehabilitation program

  • Use a brace or splint if advised

  • Reintroduce activity gradually with a structured plan