Tendonitis

Tendonitis is inflammation of a tendon – the strong, white, fibrous tissue connecting muscle to bone.  Tendonitis can be associated with a calcium deposit, which can cause inflammation.  It is one of the common causes of acute pain in the shoulder and can occur after an injury or as a result of repetitious movements.  In rare cases, it may also result from a disease.

Causes and Development

Causes of tendonitis not mentioned elsewhere:

• poorly-fitted shoes that rub against foot tendons
• bone spurs in the feet or elsewhere that irritate tendons
• obesity, which puts abnormal pressure on the legs and feet
• repeated overuse of the wrist, which can inflame the tendons
• overuse of the tendons in the shoulder, sometimes seen in swimmers or in the serving arm of a tennis player
• overuse of arm muscles, which can cause inflammation of tendons in the elbow, such as tennis or golfer's elbow.

Signs and Symptoms

Tendonitis usually causes one or more of the following symptoms:

• a sharp or achy pain
• tenderness and swelling
• restricted movement in the area surrounding the injury
• weakness in the arm or leg due to pain.

Prognosis; Complications; Seek medical attention if...

Acute tendonitis often subsides within 10 to 14 days.

In cases of Achilles tendonitis, if the tendon becomes more painful with greater activity such as running or playing sports, there is a chance the tendon could rupture: if not taken care of, tendonitis can weaken tendons, making them more susceptible to a tear.

If the pain worsens or continues after home care for over 14 days, a doctor should be consulted.