Tendonitis

Tendonitis is and inflammation or injury to a tendon. Often tendonitis heals with rest, pain relievers and pain relievers. Sometimes people with tendonitis need surgery.

What is tendonitis?

Tendonitis, also known as tendinitis, is inflammation of any tendon. The tendon is a fibrous cord that connects bone to a muscle. The most common places that tendonitis occurs are the base of the thumb, elbow, shoulder, hip, knee and Achilles tendon.

Tendonitis can affect people of any age. It is commonly seen among adolescents and adults who are active and play sports. Elderly individuals are prone to tendonitis because tendons tend to lose their elasticity and become weaker with age.

Tendonitis conditions

Tendonitis conditions often result from overuse or repetitive motion from sports, jobs or activities. Common names for tendonitis conditions include:

Tennis elbow
Golfer’s elbow
Jumper’s knee
Swimmer’s shoulder

Tendonitis causes

Tendonitis can be caused by:

Bad posture
Lack of stretching or conditioning before exercise, sports or recreational activities
Abnormal bone or joint placement
Stresses from another condition, such as rheumatoid arthritis, gout, thyroid disorders, or medication reactions.
Repeated motions or movements

Tendonitis symptoms

Symptoms of tendonitis depend on the part of the body affected. Common symptoms include:

Gradual buildup or sudden onset of pain
Crackling/grating feeling when moving
Swelling
Affected area may be hot and red
A lump may develop along the tendon

Tendonitis diagnosis

Tendonitis can typically be diagnosed based on the patient’s symptoms and after a physical examination by a doctor. A creaky sound may be heard when the tendon is moved. Other methods of diagnosis include:

X-rays to show calcium deposits around the tendon
MRI or ultrasound imaging to reveal swelling around the tendon
Blood tests to check for presence of other diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis