Tendonitis Treatment & Relief

Tendonitis, also spelled “tendinitis,” is a condition that affects various age groups, particularly those engaged in activities that require repetitive movements like sports, manual labor or even certain hobbies that stress your joints. 

Sometimes these activities can lead to overuse injuries like tendonitis, which can significantly affect mobility in the affected area and impact your overall quality of life. Understanding and treating tendonitis promptly and effectively is crucial to maintaining daily functionality, reducing pain and preventing further complications. 

If you’re tired of dealing with the pain and limitations of tendonitis, the orthopedic specialists at Houston Methodist Orthopedics & Sports Medicine are here to help. Contact us or visit one of our Orthopedic Injury Clinics today.

Identifying Tendonitis

Tendons are the tough and fibrous cords connecting your muscles to your bones. Tendonitis occurs when these tendons become inflamed and swollen. In many cases, this condition is the result of overusing a particular area of your body. A few of the most common types of tendonitis include:

• Achilles tendonitis: Inflammation of the Achilles tendon, causing pain at the back of the heel
• Chronic tendonitis: Long-term inflammation of a tendon, leading to persistent pain and discomfort
• DeQuervain's tenosynovitis: Inflammation of the tendons on the thumb side of the wrist, causing pain when moving the thumb
• Golfer’s elbow (medial epicondylitis): Inflammation of the tendons on the inside of the elbow, causing pain during wrist and forearm movements
• Iliopsoas tendonitis after hip surgery: Inflammation of the hip flexor tendon, often occurring after hip surgery, leading to groin pain
• Rotator cuff tendonitis: Inflammation of the tendons in the shoulder, causing pain during arm movements, especially overhead
• Tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis): Inflammation of the tendons on the outside of the elbow, causing pain during gripping or lifting
• Trigger finger or trigger thumb: A condition where a finger or thumb gets stuck in a bent position due to tendon inflammation
  
  

Generally, the pain of tendonitis is localized to the affected area where your tendon connects to the bone, which can severely limit the range of motion and overall functionality of that particular joint.

Acute cases of tendonitis can be caused by a sudden increase in stress or physical load that overwhelms your tendon’s ability to cope. On the other hand, chronic tendonitis may be caused by long-lasting tendon stress without adequate rest and recovery. 

During your appointment with one of our orthopedic specialists at Houston Methodist, your doctor may use advanced imaging tests like X-rays or MRIs to assess the injury and rule out other potential conditions like tendon ruptures or musculoskeletal disorders. 

Signs and Symptoms of Tendonitis

Tendonitis presents slightly differently depending on age, health, weight and other factors. However, a few hallmark symptoms associated with tendonitis include:

• Inflammation of the soft tissue
• Pain and tenderness directly over the affected area
• Reduced range of motion
• Reduced strength in the injured areas
• Stiffness after inactivity
  
  

In cases like jumper’s knee, tennis elbow or swimmer’s shoulder, the discomfort and/or pain is specific to the activities that aggravate the tendon. Depending on the circumstances, a certified physical therapist can help you learn stretching and warm-up techniques that can help prevent or reduce symptoms. 

How Is Tendonitis Diagnosed?

If you believe you’re suffering from tendonitis, the orthopedic specialists at Houston Methodists are here to provide accurate diagnosis, treatment and comprehensive follow-up. 

The diagnosis process typically involves a thorough physical exam, which may include:

• Assessment of your range of motion and tenderness in the affected areas
• Assessing soft tissue inflammation
• Imaging tests like MRIs or musculoskeletal ultrasounds
• Understanding the effect of coexisting conditions (i.e., rheumatoid arthritis) on your current injuries
  
  

Not only can these tests help distinguish tendonitis from other potential causes of pain like bursitis or tendon ruptures, but they also help ensure you receive accurate diagnosis and applicable treatment options. Generally, self-diagnoses aren’t recommended, as it can be challenging to differentiate between an Achilles tear and tendonitis or other conditions that can look and feel a lot like tendonitis.

Risk Factors for Tendonitis

People who are most at risk of developing tendonitis include athletes or those with jobs or hobbies that require repetitive motions. Fortunately, there are a few preventive measures you can take to minimize your risks of tendonitis, including:

• Using correct techniques
• Performing effective warm-up routines
• Giving your tendons enough time to recover before re-engaging in the activity
• Taking breaks to rest your tendons
  
  

Our physical therapists are here to help you recover, reduce pain and limit the likelihood of further injury. Whether you’re suffering from tendonitis in your arm, wrist, hand, elbow or anywhere else, the fellowship-trained orthopedic experts at Houston Methodist are equipped to help you from diagnosis through rehabilitation. 

How We Care for Tendonitis: Our Treatment Options

Depending on the circumstances, extent of injury and other factors, the orthopedic specialists at Houston Methodist offer a wide range of treatment options:

• Medications: This may include over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen or advanced injection options (such as saline or PRP injctions) to reduce pain and inflammation.
• Physical therapy: Exercises and stretches can be used to improve the flexibility of the affected area(s), as well as to help prevent further injury. 
• Surgical options: If recommended treatment options fail, microscopic tendonitis surgery, arthroscopic tendon repair surgery or a debridement procedure may be necessary. 
  
  

Sometimes, tendonitis develops after a major surgery like joint replacement or knee replacement. When this occurs, we recommend reaching out to a board-certified orthopedic specialist for a proper diagnosis. 

Why Choose Houston Methodist for Tendonitis Care

Our world-class team at Houston Methodist Orthopedics & Sports Medicine is fellowship-trained and specializes in specific conditions and procedures affected by tendonitis. 

We give each case the personalized attention it deserves to ensure you receive a highly customized diagnosis and treatment plan that’s specific to your needs. Our goal is to eradicate or minimize pain, facilitate recovery and prevent further injury so that you can keep moving and doing the things that you love.. 

Contact us today to schedule your appointment with a tendonitis specialist at Houston Methodist Orthopedics & Sports Medicine.