If your joints feel inflamed, especially in your shoulder, knees, or elbow, you may have tendinitis. Home remedies or a doctor’s recommendations can help you manage the pain.
Tendons are thick cords that join your muscles to your bones. When tendons become irritated or inflamed, the condition is called tendinitis. It causes acute pain and tenderness, making it difficult to move the affected joint.
Any tendon can develop tendinitis, but you’re more likely to develop it in your shoulder, knee, elbow, heel, or wrist.
Tendinitis may also be called by one of the following names:
- swimmer’s shoulder
- jumper’s knee
- pitcher’s shoulder
- golfer’s elbow
- tennis elbow
The most common cause of tendinitis is repetitive action. Tendons help you make a certain movement over and over. You may develop tendinitis if you frequently make the same motion while playing sports or working. The risk increases if you perform the motion incorrectly.
Tendinitis can also result from:
- injury
- aging
- certain diseases, such as diabetes or rheumatoid arthritis
- certain antibiotics (quinolones such as Levaquin)
Athletes who participate in certain sports, such as tennis, golf, bowling, or basketball, are at a higher risk of tendinitis. You may also be at a higher risk if your job requires physical exertion, overhead lifting, or repetitive motions or tasks.
The pain from tendinitis is typically a dull ache concentrated around the affected area or joint. It increases when you move the injured area. The area will be tender, and you’ll feel increased pain if someone touches it.
You may experience a tightness that makes it difficult to move the area. You may also have some swelling.
If you develop symptoms of tendinitis, begin by resting the area and applying ice. If your condition doesn’t improve after a few days of rest, see a doctor.
You can book an appointment with a primary care doctor in your area using our Healthline FindCare tool.
At your appointment, a doctor will ask about your medical history and perform a physical exam of the affected area. They’ll also examine your tenderness and range of motion.
Be prepared to tell your doctor about the following:
- recent or past injuries
- past and present sports and physical activities
- previously diagnosed medical conditions
- any prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, and herbal supplements you take
If your doctor can’t make a diagnosis with a physical exam, they may order additional tests. These could include:
Treatment options for tendinitis help reduce pain and inflammation in the tendon. Basic home remedies include:
- resting or elevating the tendon as advised by your doctor
- applying heat or ice
- taking medications, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol), aspirin (Bayer), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), or naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn)
- wrapping the area in a compression bandage until swelling goes away
- doing stretches and exercises to build strength and improve mobility in the area
If your condition is severe, your doctor may also recommend:
- supports such as splints, braces, or a cane
- surgery to remove inflammatory tissue
- physical therapy
- corticosteroid injections
A single corticosteroid injection can reduce pain and inflammation, but repeated injections can cause the tendon to weaken and increase your chances of injury.
When treated early, tendinitis usually resolves quickly. For some people, it can recur and become a chronic or long-term problem. If repetitive movements or overuse led to your tendinitis, changing those behaviors can reduce your risk of developing it again.
You can cause additional injury, such as a tendon rupture, if the inflammation continues without treatment. Surgery is often necessary for a tendon rupture and for cases that don’t respond well to other treatments.
Take these simple steps to lower your chances of developing tendinitis:
- Keep physically fit and build your muscle tone.
- Warm up before exercising.
- Avoid overuse and repetitive motions.
- Cross-train if you’re an athlete.
- Use proper posture when working at a desk or doing other tasks.
- Don’t remain in the same position for too long. Move around periodically.
- Use proper equipment at work and during athletic activities.
If you begin to feel the pain of tendinitis, stop your activity. Take a 20-minute break to apply ice and rest.
