Tendinitis is when a tendon becomes inflamed and swollen, often due to an injury or repetitive motions that we do every day at home, work, or while exercising. Sometimes, it can also be triggered by certain medical conditions or medications, like fluoroquinolone antibiotics and statins.
This condition usually targets areas like the shoulders, elbows, wrists, knees, and ankles, often causing tenderness and pain near the joints. Although tendinitis can be managed and resolved with proper treatment, if neglected, it might lead to chronic pain, repeated injuries, or even a tendon rupture.
While anyone can develop tendinitis, people who exercise regularly, athletes, and those over 40 are more prone to it. Key symptoms include pain and swelling around the tendons, and the severity can vary. If you notice these symptoms getting worse over three to six weeks, it’s time to consult a doctor for a check-up.
Tendinitis occurs mainly because of repetitive motions or injuries. These repetitive actions can cause the tendons to wear out and become inflamed, leading to friction against bones, which results in pain and limits joint movement. It commonly affects tendons throughout the body, especially in the legs, knees, elbows, and shoulders, often linked to sports or activities causing the strain.
Certain jobs, like those of musicians, gardeners, or carpenters, that require constant repetitive motions, increase the risk of developing tendinitis. There are also medical conditions involving metabolic imbalances or chronic pain that might cause tendinitis or worsen its symptoms.
For diagnosis, healthcare providers look into your medical and physical history and may perform a physical examination. They might ask about the specific activity or incident that triggered your pain and conduct a palpation assessment to check for structural issues in the tendon. If needed, imaging tests like X-rays or MRIs may provide a closer look at the condition of your tendon, revealing issues like tiny tears or thickening.
To prevent tendinitis, people can adopt certain strategies to reduce the likelihood of its development from everyday activities, work, or exercise. If tendinitis worsens, there’s a risk of re-injuring or fully tearing the tendon, which would likely require surgery and lead to a lengthy recovery, especially in cases like an Achilles tendon rupture, which typically takes about six months to heal.
Even though tendinitis can be quite uncomfortable and disrupt daily activities, there are several ways to manage the symptoms and alleviate the pain.
