BACK TOTOP Browse A-ZSearchBrowse A-ZABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ0-9 E-mail FormEmail ResultsName:Email address:Recipients Name:Recipients address:Message: Print-FriendlyBookmarksbookmarks-menuTendinitisCalcific tendinitis; Bicipital tendinitisTendons 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. Causes 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.Rheumatoid arthritisRheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a disease that leads to inflammation of the joints and surrounding tissues. It is a long-term disease. It can also aff...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article DiabetesDiabetes is a long-term (chronic) disease in which the body cannot regulate the amount of sugar in the blood.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Tendinitis can occur in any tendon. Commonly affected sites include the:Elbow ElbowTennis elbow is soreness or pain on the outside (lateral) side of the upper arm near the elbow.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Heel (Achilles tendinitis) Achilles tendinitisAchilles tendinitis occurs when the tendon that connects the back of your leg to your heel becomes swollen and painful near the bottom of the foot. ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Knee KneeAnterior knee pain is pain that occurs at the front and center of the knee. It can be caused by many different problems, including:Chondromalacia of...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Shoulder ShoulderThe rotator cuff is a group of muscles and tendons that attach to the bones of the shoulder joint, allowing the shoulder to move and keep it stable. ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Thumb ThumbA tendon is thick, bendable tissue that connects muscle to bone. Two tendons run from the back of your thumb down the side of your wrist. De Querva...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Wrist Symptoms 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 Exams and Tests The health care provider will perform a physical exam. During the exam, the provider will look for signs of pain and tenderness when the muscle attached to the tendon is moved in certain ways. There are specific tests for specific tendons.The tendon can be inflamed, and the skin over it may be warm and red.Other tests that may be done include:Ultrasound X-ray MRI Treatment 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.Over-the-counter pain relieversOver-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers can help relieve pain or lower a fever. Over-the-counter means you can buy these medicines without a prescript...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article 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. Outlook (Prognosis) 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. Possible Complications Complications of tendinitis may include:Long-term inflammation raises the risk for further injury, such as rupture Return of tendinitis symptoms When to Contact a Medical Professional Call for an appointment with your provider if symptoms of tendinitis occur. Prevention 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. Open ReferencesReferencesBiundo 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.AllVideoImagesTogTendon vs. ligament - illustration A tendon is a fibrous connective tissue that attaches muscle to bone. Tendons may also attach muscles to structures such as the eyeball. A tendon serves to move the bone or structure. A ligament is a fibrous connective tissue that attaches bone to bone, and usually serves to hold structures together and keep them stable.Tendon vs. ligamentillustrationTendonitis - illustration Tendonitis is the inflammation, irritation, and swelling of a tendon. It can occur as a result of injury, overuse, or with aging as the tendon loses elasticity. Any action that places prolonged repetitive strain on the forearm muscles can cause tendonitis. The most common symptom of tendonitis is pain, tenderness, and the increase of pain with movement.TendonitisillustrationTendon vs. ligament - illustration A tendon is a fibrous connective tissue that attaches muscle to bone. Tendons may also attach muscles to structures such as the eyeball. A tendon serves to move the bone or structure. A ligament is a fibrous connective tissue that attaches bone to bone, and usually serves to hold structures together and keep them stable.Tendon vs. ligamentillustrationTendonitis - illustration Tendonitis is the inflammation, irritation, and swelling of a tendon. It can occur as a result of injury, overuse, or with aging as the tendon loses elasticity. Any action that places prolonged repetitive strain on the forearm muscles can cause tendonitis. The most common symptom of tendonitis is pain, tenderness, and the increase of pain with movement.TendonitisillustrationSelf Care De Quervain tendinitisRelated Information Systemic(Special Topic)Rheumatoid arthritis(Condition)Achilles tendinitis(Condition)Rheumatoid arthritis - InDepth(In-Depth) Review Date: 7/25/2022 Reviewed 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. The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. 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TendinitisCalcific tendinitis; Bicipital tendinitisTendons 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. Causes 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.Rheumatoid arthritisRheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a disease that leads to inflammation of the joints and surrounding tissues. It is a long-term disease. It can also aff...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article DiabetesDiabetes is a long-term (chronic) disease in which the body cannot regulate the amount of sugar in the blood.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Tendinitis can occur in any tendon. Commonly affected sites include the:Elbow ElbowTennis elbow is soreness or pain on the outside (lateral) side of the upper arm near the elbow.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Heel (Achilles tendinitis) Achilles tendinitisAchilles tendinitis occurs when the tendon that connects the back of your leg to your heel becomes swollen and painful near the bottom of the foot. ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Knee KneeAnterior knee pain is pain that occurs at the front and center of the knee. It can be caused by many different problems, including:Chondromalacia of...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Shoulder ShoulderThe rotator cuff is a group of muscles and tendons that attach to the bones of the shoulder joint, allowing the shoulder to move and keep it stable. ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Thumb ThumbA tendon is thick, bendable tissue that connects muscle to bone. Two tendons run from the back of your thumb down the side of your wrist. De Querva...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Wrist Symptoms 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 Exams and Tests The health care provider will perform a physical exam. During the exam, the provider will look for signs of pain and tenderness when the muscle attached to the tendon is moved in certain ways. There are specific tests for specific tendons.The tendon can be inflamed, and the skin over it may be warm and red.Other tests that may be done include:Ultrasound X-ray MRI Treatment 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.Over-the-counter pain relieversOver-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers can help relieve pain or lower a fever. Over-the-counter means you can buy these medicines without a prescript...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article 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. Outlook (Prognosis) 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. Possible Complications Complications of tendinitis may include:Long-term inflammation raises the risk for further injury, such as rupture Return of tendinitis symptoms When to Contact a Medical Professional Call for an appointment with your provider if symptoms of tendinitis occur. Prevention 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. Open ReferencesReferencesBiundo 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.