Tendonitis is when a tendon becomes swollen or inflamed after an injury
It can cause joint pain, stiffness, and affect how the tendon moves
Mild tendon injuries can usually be treated at home and improve within 2 to 3 weeks
Rest, ice and support are the main first steps
A pharmacist can advise on suitable painkillers
About Tendonitis
Tendonitis is when a tendon becomes swollen, or inflamed, following an injury. It can cause joint pain and stiffness, and affect how the tendon moves. A mild tendon injury can usually be treated at home and should feel better within 2 to 3 weeks.
Rest, Ice and Support
For the first 2 to 3 days, try to rest the tendon and avoid moving it, apply an ice pack (or a bag of frozen peas) wrapped in a tea towel for up to 20 minutes every 2 to 3 hours, and support the area with an elastic bandage, tube bandage, or soft brace from a pharmacy — this should feel snug but not tight, and should be removed before bed.
Once you can move the injured area without pain stopping you, try to keep gently moving it so the joint doesn't become stiff. To help avoid further injury, avoid heavy lifting, strong gripping, or twisting movements that worsen symptoms, and avoid playing sport until the tendon has recovered.
Getting Advice from a Pharmacist
A pharmacist can recommend a suitable painkiller — paracetamol and ibuprofen can both help ease pain — and may also suggest an ibuprofen gel to apply to the skin over the affected area.
Page last reviewed: 6 March 2024 · Next review due: 6 March 2027
Tendonitis · Symptoms
Symptoms and When to Get Help
? 4 min readReviewed: March 2024
Main Symptoms
Tendons connect muscles to bones throughout the body, including at joints such as the knees, elbows and shoulders. The main symptoms of tendonitis are pain in a tendon that worsens with movement, difficulty moving the joint, a grating or crackling sensation when moving the tendon, and swelling, sometimes with heat or redness.
If pain is sudden and severe, following an accident or activity, you may have torn (ruptured) a tendon — you might notice a popping or snapping sound when the pain began.
?? Get help from NHS 111 if:
You're in a lot of pain, or think you may have ruptured a tendon.
See a GP if you've injured a joint and symptoms haven't improved within a few weeks. In many areas, you may be able to access help such as physiotherapy directly through NHS community musculoskeletal (MSK) services, without needing a GP referral first.
Page last reviewed: 6 March 2024 · Next review due: 6 March 2027
Tendonitis · Treatment & Prevention
Further Treatment and Prevention
? 5 min readReviewed: March 2024
If Symptoms Persist
If treatment is needed, you may be prescribed a stronger painkiller, or advised to try an ibuprofen gel. If pain is severe, long-lasting, or limiting your movement, physiotherapy may be offered, and some people with severe tendonitis may be offered steroid injections for short-term pain relief. If physiotherapy doesn't help, you may be referred to an orthopaedic specialist, who may recommend surgery to remove damaged tissue or repair a ruptured tendon.
What Causes Tendonitis
Tendonitis is usually caused by sudden, sharp movements or repetitive activity, such as running, jumping or throwing. It can also result from repetitive movements, or poor posture or technique at work or during sport, sometimes known as repetitive strain injury (RSI).
Reducing Your Risk
Tendonitis can't always be prevented, but warming up before exercise and gently stretching afterwards, wearing supportive shoes or insoles during exercise, and taking regular breaks from repetitive activities can all help. It's best to avoid overexercising tired muscles, starting a new sport without any training or practice, and repeating the same movements over and over without variation.
Page last reviewed: 6 March 2024 · Next review due: 6 March 2027
