How Long Does It Take for Tendonitis to Heal? (& Other FAQS) (2024)

Tendons are quite flexible, helping our muscles and bones work together to perform everyday movements and exercises. Occasionally, tendons can become inflamed from overuse, overstress, or traumatic injury. Tendonitis, or inflammation of a tendon, is painful.

If you’ve experienced pain in a tendon, you may be wondering, “How long does it take for tendonitis to heal?” Moderate tendon injuries may take about 6-8 weeks to heal while more serious injuries could take up to 6 months or longer, depending on the cause of the inflammation and severity of your injury.

Low-level laser therapy (LLLT), also called cold laser therapy, can aid in the healing process. Whether treating chronic pain or as part of your acute pain therapy plan, LumaCare makes treatment easily affordable and accessible. Read further to learn more about cold laser therapy and tendonitis.

What Are Signs of Tendonitis?

Tendonitis will present as pain in specific tendons, tenderness near joints and difficulty moving certain joints, and mild swelling. You may sense a “grating” or “rubbing” in the area where the tendons are injured or inflamed.

Does Tendonitis Ever Go Away?

Many cases of tendonitis do, indeed, go away. With proper rest and treatment specific to your injury, you should be back to normal activities in a few weeks. However, the cause and extent of your tendonitis will impact your recovery time.

Following are types of tendonitis, possible length of impairment, as well as suggested treatment options for each type.

Location of TendonitisEstimated DurationTreatment Options
ShoulderAt least 6 weeksCold Laser Therapy, Steroid Injection, Physical Therapy, Surgery, Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy, Arthroscopy
FootA few weeks to a few months (depends on the cause and extent of the injury)R.I.C.E. (rest, ice, compression, elevation), Immobilizer, Orthotics, Cold Laser Therapy, NSAIDS, Physical therapy
WristA few weeks to over 6 months (depends on the cause and extent of the injury)Immobilizer/Splint, NSAIDS, Cold Laser Therapy
Elbow6 months to 1 yearCounterforce Brace, Cold Laser Therapy, NSAID cream, Physical Therapy, Ultrasound Therapy

Cold Laser Therapy to Speed Healing

Studies have found that an exercise/therapy program combined with laser treatments can improve the recovery of injuries.

Our therapeutic lasers can increase blood flow to the cells of stressed tendons to improve muscle recovery. LumaCare Duo is among the best LLLT devices available for clinical use as well as for use at home.

Learn what happens if tendonitis goes untreated, and always consult your family physician to determine the best treatment program for your tendonitis.

How Long Does It Take for Tendonitis to Heal? (& Other FAQS) (2024)

FAQs

How long does tendonitis take to fully heal? ›

It could take between two to three weeks for your tendon to heal after tendonitis treatment. It can take a few months if you have a severe case of tendonitis. The best way to speed up your healing time is to rest. Don't participate in strenuous exercises or activities that can put stress on your healing tendon.

How can I speed up tendonitis recovery? ›

To treat tendinitis at home, use rest, ice, compression and elevation. This treatment can help speed recovery and help prevent more problems. Rest. Avoid doing things that increase the pain or swelling.

What is the best anti-inflammatory for tendonitis? ›

Doctors may recommend over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen or naproxen, to reduce inflammation in the bursa and tendon and relieve pain. These medications are typically recommended for a few weeks while the body heals.

Can you fully heal from tendonitis? ›

Treatment requires intentional rest and non-use of the tendon. The good news is that the tendon will heal naturally, meaning invasive procedures are unnecessary. Physical therapy and rest could be enough to heal the affected area.

Does tendonitis hurt all the time? ›

Chronic tendonitis is a dull but constant soreness that feels worse when you first start to move. It then eases up as muscles get warmer. Acute tendonitis is a sharper pain that may keep you from moving the joint. The pain may eventually go away.

What vitamin helps heal tendonitis? ›

Yes, vitamin C is essential for tendon healing as it plays a crucial role in the production of collagen and has potent antioxidant properties that can help to protect tendons from further damage.

Why won t tendonitis go away? ›

Chronic tendonitis is often defined by the tendon pain lasting more than 6 weeks, and the condition is referred to as tendinosis. Tendinosis is thought to be mainly caused by degeneration of the tendon. In order to effectively treat and resolve tendinosis, you must stimulate regeneration of the affected tendon.

What should you not do with tendonitis? ›

To help prevent further injury or pain, try to avoid:
  • heavy lifting, strong gripping or twisting actions that make the symptoms worse.
  • playing any sport until the tendon has recovered.

Why does tendonitis take so long to heal? ›

Unlike muscle tissue, tendons don't get a significant supply of blood. Blood delivers fluid and nutrients that are essential for healing. The less blood delivered, the longer it takes for tissue to heal. Add to that the sheer size of the Achilles tendon, and you're in for a lengthy recovery.

How long do tendons need to rest? ›

While some cases may require 6 months or even longer to recover, most cases will resolve within 2-3 months. A graduated exercise program with appropriate rest periods will optimise this recovery period. How often should I exercise my tendon?

What are the three stages of tendon healing? ›

Similar to fibrillogenesis, tendon regeneration can be distilled down to three overlapping steps: (1) inflammation, (2) proliferation, and (3) remodeling.

What kind of ointment is good for tendonitis? ›

What is the best cream for tendonitis? Mild tendonitis pain can be effectively managed with topical NSAID creams such as Myoflex or Aspercreme.

What is the new treatment for tendonitis? ›

In this review we report the new options for the management of tendinopathy, including eccentric exercises, extracorporeal shockwave therapy, injections (intratendinous injections of corticosteroids, aprotinin, polidocanol platelet-rich plasma, autologous blood injection, high-volume injections) and surgery.

What aggravates tendonitis? ›

Most people develop tendinitis because their jobs or hobbies involve motions that they repeat, over and over. This puts stress on tendons. Moving correctly is especially important when having to repeat movements for sports or a job. Moving incorrectly can overload the tendon and lead to tendinitis.

Why won't my tendonitis go away? ›

Chronic tendonitis is often defined by the tendon pain lasting more than 6 weeks, and the condition is referred to as tendinosis. Tendinosis is thought to be mainly caused by degeneration of the tendon. In order to effectively treat and resolve tendinosis, you must stimulate regeneration of the affected tendon.

Is tendinosis permanent? ›

The tendon degeneration of tendinosis is mostly permanent. But the symptoms can be stopped, and individuals and athletes can return to normal activities. However, the symptoms can sometimes return with another injury or a resumption of repetitive tasks.

Does tendonitis build up over time? ›

The most noticeable sign of calcific tendinitis might be pain, though you might not have any at first. That's because it can take months or years for calcium deposits to form. Over time, calcific tendinitis can also make movement painful (especially in the morning) and can limit your range of movement.

Should I massage tendonitis? ›

For people suffering from tendonitis, it can help with pain relief and speed up the recovery process. Since tendonitis can take weeks to heal, using a massage therapy program to both relax and strengthen the inflamed tendon can give the sufferer a better chance of a full and speedy recovery.

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