Tendinitis: Causes, Common Forms and Treatment

Tendons

Tendons are flexible bands of tissue that connect muscles to bones, so your muscles can move your bones.

What tendinitis is

Tendinitis is severe swelling of a tendon. It usually follows repeated injury to one area, such as the wrist or ankle, and causes pain and soreness around a joint.

Named for sports

Several common forms are named after the sports that raise the risk:

• tennis elbow
• golfer's elbow
• pitcher's shoulder
• swimmer's shoulder
• jumper's knee

Diagnosis

Doctors use your medical history, a physical exam and imaging tests.

Treatment

First, reduce the pain and swelling:

• rest
• wrapping or raising the area
• medicines
• ice, for recent, severe injuries

Other treatments:

• ultrasound
• physical therapy
• steroid injections
• surgery

Sources

Based on the MedlinePlus health topic "Tendinitis," National Library of Medicine; a work of the United States government in the public domain.