Tendinitis

Tendons are bundles of strong tissue that connect your muscles to your bones at a joint. This tissue can sometimes become inflamed and painful – usually from overuse or from sudden overload (as in weightlifting) – and result in a common condition known as tendonitis. Tendonitis is mostly found in the shoulder, elbow, knee, wrist and heel, though it can also develop in other parts of the body. Common tendonitis symptoms include pain and inflammation, especially after the joint is used during exercise or work. Icing the area three or four times a day and taking anti-inflammatory medicine can help reduce swelling and pain. Splinting, steroid injections or physical therapy may be required in more severe cases to help prevent damage and improve your range of motion. In most cases, the tendon heals completely with conservative treatment – but in the rare case that the tendon does not heal, surgery may be required to repair damage to it and surrounding tissue.