{"id":11308,"date":"2025-06-26T10:37:51","date_gmt":"2025-06-26T07:37:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ozgurkilickesmez.com\/?p=11308"},"modified":"2026-10-13T22:13:31","modified_gmt":"2026-10-13T19:13:31","slug":"what-is-tendonitis-symptoms-and-treatment-of-tendonitis","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ozgurkilickesmez.com\/en\/what-is-tendonitis-symptoms-and-treatment-of-tendonitis\/","title":{"rendered":"Tendonitis: Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis and Treatment Options"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tendonitis is inflammation of a tendon, typically caused by overuse, repetitive strain, or injury. It presents with localized pain, swelling, and restricted movement around the affected joint.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Common sites include the shoulder, elbow, wrist, knee, and ankle. Risk factors include sports activities, poor posture, and repetitive occupational tasks.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Treatment focuses on rest, anti-inflammatory medications, and physical therapy. In severe or persistent cases, corticosteroid injections or interventional procedures may be required.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Preventive strategies include ergonomic adjustments, stretching, and strengthening exercises. Early management reduces the risk of chronic tendon damage.<\/span><\/p>\n<table>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>Medical Name<\/td>\n<td>Tendinitis<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Causes<\/td>\n<td>Overuse, repetitive movements, aging, acute injuries<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Risk Factors<\/td>\n<td>Sports activities, repetitive jobs, poor posture, diabetes, arthritis<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Common Symptoms<\/td>\n<td>Pain, tenderness, swelling, restricted movement, warmth<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Common Locations<\/td>\n<td>Shoulder (rotator cuff), elbow (tennis\/golfer\u2019s elbow), knee, Achilles tendon<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Diagnosis<\/td>\n<td>Physical exam, ultrasound, MRI, X-ray (for differential diagnosis)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Treatment<\/td>\n<td>Rest, ice, NSAIDs, physical therapy, injections, embolization<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Surgical Indication<\/td>\n<td>Rare; required for tendon rupture or chronic, refractory cases<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Complications<\/td>\n<td>Chronic pain, tendon rupture, loss of movement<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Prevention<\/td>\n<td>Warm-up before exercise, proper technique, rest, muscle strengthening<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_89 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Content<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #ffffff;color:#ffffff\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #ffffff;color:#ffffff\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/ozgurkilickesmez.com\/en\/what-is-tendonitis-symptoms-and-treatment-of-tendonitis\/#Is_Every_Tendon_Pain_Truly_%E2%80%9CTendinitis%E2%80%9D\" >Is Every Tendon Pain Truly \u201cTendinitis\u201d?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/ozgurkilickesmez.com\/en\/what-is-tendonitis-symptoms-and-treatment-of-tendonitis\/#Where_Does_Tendon_Inflammation_Most_Commonly_Occur\" >Where Does Tendon Inflammation Most Commonly Occur?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/ozgurkilickesmez.com\/en\/what-is-tendonitis-symptoms-and-treatment-of-tendonitis\/#What_Causes_Tendon_Inflammation\" >What Causes Tendon Inflammation?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/ozgurkilickesmez.com\/en\/what-is-tendonitis-symptoms-and-treatment-of-tendonitis\/#Who_Is_at_Higher_Risk_for_Tendinitis\" >Who Is at Higher Risk for Tendinitis?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/ozgurkilickesmez.com\/en\/what-is-tendonitis-symptoms-and-treatment-of-tendonitis\/#What_Happens_Inside_the_Tendon_During_Inflammation\" >What Happens Inside the Tendon During Inflammation?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/ozgurkilickesmez.com\/en\/what-is-tendonitis-symptoms-and-treatment-of-tendonitis\/#What_Are_the_Symptoms_of_Tendon_Inflammation\" >What Are the Symptoms of Tendon Inflammation?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/ozgurkilickesmez.com\/en\/what-is-tendonitis-symptoms-and-treatment-of-tendonitis\/#How_Is_Tendinitis_Diagnosed\" >How Is Tendinitis Diagnosed?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/ozgurkilickesmez.com\/en\/what-is-tendonitis-symptoms-and-treatment-of-tendonitis\/#What_If_Traditional_Treatments_Dont_Work\" >What If Traditional Treatments Don\u2019t Work?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/ozgurkilickesmez.com\/en\/what-is-tendonitis-symptoms-and-treatment-of-tendonitis\/#What_Is_PRP_Platelet-Rich_Plasma_Therapy_for_Tendinitis\" >What Is PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma) Therapy for Tendinitis?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/ozgurkilickesmez.com\/en\/what-is-tendonitis-symptoms-and-treatment-of-tendonitis\/#What_Is_Percutaneous_Tenotomy_%E2%80%9CNeedle_Treatment%E2%80%9D_for_Chronic_Tendinitis\" >What Is Percutaneous Tenotomy (\u201cNeedle Treatment\u201d) for Chronic Tendinitis?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/ozgurkilickesmez.com\/en\/what-is-tendonitis-symptoms-and-treatment-of-tendonitis\/#What_Is_Transarterial_Embolization_TAE_for_Resistant_Tendon_Pain\" >What Is Transarterial Embolization (TAE) for Resistant Tendon Pain?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Is_Every_Tendon_Pain_Truly_%E2%80%9CTendinitis%E2%80%9D\"><\/span>Is Every Tendon Pain Truly \u201cTendinitis\u201d?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>This is a common question among patients. When people hear \u201ctendon inflammation\u201d or \u201ctendinitis,\u201d they usually picture an acute, newly triggered inflammation after injury or sudden strain\u2014often with swelling, warmth, and sharp pain.<\/p>\n<p>But if your pain has persisted for months or years, it\u2019s likely more than simple inflammation. Over time, repeated microtraumas and excessive loads disrupt the tendon\u2019s structure\u2014imagine a sturdy rope whose fibers fray with overuse. The body tries to repair this, but eventually, these efforts fail. This chronic, structural breakdown of the tendon is called \u201ctendinopathy\u201d or \u201ctendinosis.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Understanding this difference matters, because persistent tendon pain rarely responds to anti-inflammatory treatments alone. The real solution must focus on repairing the damaged structure and restoring the tendon\u2019s self-healing capacity.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Where_Does_Tendon_Inflammation_Most_Commonly_Occur\"><\/span>Where Does Tendon Inflammation Most Commonly Occur?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Tendinitis is most common around joints exposed to repetitive or heavy loads. Key sites include:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Shoulder (rotator cuff)<\/li>\n<li>Elbow (tennis or golfer\u2019s elbow)<\/li>\n<li>Wrist and thumb (De Quervain\u2019s tenosynovitis)<\/li>\n<li>Hip (gluteal tendons)<\/li>\n<li>Knee (patellar tendon\/jumper\u2019s knee)<\/li>\n<li>Ankle (Achilles tendon)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>These issues often produce symptoms with specific movements. For example, rotator cuff tendinopathy may cause night pain and difficulty raising the arm, while elbow tendinitis may present as sharp pain when opening a jar or carrying heavy bags.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_Causes_Tendon_Inflammation\"><\/span>What Causes Tendon Inflammation?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Most tendon problems are ultimately \u201cload management errors\u201d\u2014the tendon is exposed to more, or different, stress than it can tolerate. Main contributing factors include:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Overuse: Repetitive work or hobbies strain tendon fibers over time.<\/li>\n<li>Sudden Changes: After a period of inactivity, starting intense exercise or rapidly increasing training volume overloads unprepared tendons.<\/li>\n<li>Direct Trauma: Falls or blunt injuries can directly damage a tendon.<\/li>\n<li>Poor Technique: Incorrect movement or posture puts uneven load on tendons.<\/li>\n<li>Aging: Tendons lose some flexibility and blood flow over the years, making them more vulnerable to injury.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Who_Is_at_Higher_Risk_for_Tendinitis\"><\/span>Who Is at Higher Risk for Tendinitis?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Certain conditions and lifestyle habits predispose to tendon inflammation:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Age 40 and above<\/li>\n<li>Occupations with repetitive motions (carpentry, painting, musicians, office work)<\/li>\n<li>Active participation in sports (running, tennis, golf, basketball, etc.)<\/li>\n<li>Systemic diseases (e.g. diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis)<\/li>\n<li>Wearing unsuitable or worn-out sports shoes<\/li>\n<li>Flat feet or other anatomical predispositions<\/li>\n<li>Long-term use of certain antibiotics or steroids<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_Happens_Inside_the_Tendon_During_Inflammation\"><\/span>What Happens Inside the Tendon During Inflammation?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>If we could look inside a painful tendon with a microscope, we\u2019d see much more than just simple inflammation. In chronic tendinopathy, the normal, organized structure of collagen fibers is disrupted and weakened.<\/p>\n<p>One striking change is the formation of abnormal, non-functional blood vessels inside the tendon\u2014alongside newly grown, pain-sensitive nerve endings. This abnormal \u201cvessel-nerve network\u201d is thought to be a main reason why chronic tendon pain persists even at rest and with minimal movement. It reflects the body\u2019s failed attempt at healing, and shows why modern treatments must target these abnormal structures.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_Are_the_Symptoms_of_Tendon_Inflammation\"><\/span>What Are the Symptoms of Tendon Inflammation?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Symptoms depend on location and chronicity, but commonly include:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Dull, aching pain that worsens with movement<\/li>\n<li>Tenderness when pressing on the tendon<\/li>\n<li>Mild swelling or redness (especially in acute cases)<\/li>\n<li>Morning stiffness or stiffness after periods of inactivity<\/li>\n<li>Creaking or clicking with joint movement (crepitus)<\/li>\n<li>Weakness in nearby muscles<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>If these signs affect your daily life, seek expert consultation.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_Is_Tendinitis_Diagnosed\"><\/span>How Is Tendinitis Diagnosed?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Accurate diagnosis is the first step toward effective treatment. Evaluation begins with your story and a focused physical exam, including checking for tender spots, movement restrictions, and muscle strength.<\/p>\n<p>Often this is enough, but imaging helps clarify the extent of damage and rule out other causes. Key imaging modalities include:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Ultrasound (US): Shows thickening, degeneration, tears, and abnormal blood flow in real time. Essential for guiding targeted injections.<\/li>\n<li>MRI: Provides detailed cross-sectional images of the tendon and surrounding tissues. Useful for complex or surgical cases.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_If_Traditional_Treatments_Dont_Work\"><\/span>What If Traditional Treatments Don\u2019t Work?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Most patients first try rest, ice, and painkillers. These, along with physical therapy and exercise, are mainstays of treatment. Some may try herbal or alternative remedies. Corticosteroid injections can temporarily mask pain, but repeated use risks weakening the tendon.<\/p>\n<p>When these approaches fail\u2014especially in chronic or structurally damaged cases\u2014Interventional Radiology offers solutions targeting the actual source of the problem and stimulating the body\u2019s own repair mechanisms.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_Is_PRP_Platelet-Rich_Plasma_Therapy_for_Tendinitis\"><\/span>What Is PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma) Therapy for Tendinitis?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>PRP therapy harnesses your body\u2019s natural healing power to repair damaged tendon tissue. A small sample of your blood is processed to concentrate platelets and growth factors, forming a biological \u201crepair elixir.\u201d Under ultrasound guidance, this serum is injected directly into the injured tendon. These growth factors stimulate new, healthy tendon tissue formation and promote lasting recovery.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_Is_Percutaneous_Tenotomy_%E2%80%9CNeedle_Treatment%E2%80%9D_for_Chronic_Tendinitis\"><\/span>What Is Percutaneous Tenotomy (\u201cNeedle Treatment\u201d) for Chronic Tendinitis?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Percutaneous tenotomy is a minimally invasive procedure designed to \u201creboot\u201d the healing process in chronically diseased tendons\u2014without surgery. Using ultrasound guidance, a special needle is inserted into the thickened, degenerated tendon and manipulated to trigger a controlled healing response. This brings repair cells to the area and jump-starts the production of new, healthy tissue. Recovery is usually much faster and more comfortable than with traditional surgery.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_Is_Transarterial_Embolization_TAE_for_Resistant_Tendon_Pain\"><\/span>What Is Transarterial Embolization (TAE) for Resistant Tendon Pain?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>TAE is one of the most innovative approaches for severe, stubborn tendon pain unresponsive to all other treatments. It targets the abnormal blood vessel\u2013nerve networks within the tendon, which perpetuate pain. Using angiography, a tiny catheter is threaded from the wrist or groin arteries to these abnormal vessels, which are then blocked with microscopic particles. This \u201cdries up\u201d the pain source, without harming healthy tissues, and breaks the chronic pain cycle. TAE has shown promising results for resistant tendinopathy of the shoulder, knee, elbow, and other sites.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Tendonitis is inflammation of a tendon, typically caused by overuse, repetitive strain, or injury. It presents with localized pain, swelling, and restricted movement around the affected joint. Common sites include the shoulder, elbow, wrist, knee, and ankle. Risk factors include sports activities, poor posture, and repetitive occupational tasks. Treatment focuses on rest, anti-inflammatory medications, and [&#8230;]\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":10852,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[320],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-11308","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-treatments"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/ozgurkilickesmez.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11308","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/ozgurkilickesmez.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/ozgurkilickesmez.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ozgurkilickesmez.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ozgurkilickesmez.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=11308"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/ozgurkilickesmez.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11308\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":16591,"href":"https:\/\/ozgurkilickesmez.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11308\/revisions\/16591"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ozgurkilickesmez.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/10852"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/ozgurkilickesmez.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=11308"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ozgurkilickesmez.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=11308"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ozgurkilickesmez.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=11308"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}