Quick read
Key points
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Tendonitis is inflammation of a tendon, the tough tissue that connects muscle to bone, usually caused by repetitive movement or overuse. It commonly affects the shoulder, elbow, wrist, knee, or Achilles tendon, causing pain, tenderness, and sometimes mild swelling around the affected area.
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Topic-specific prevention and risk reduction will be added during the article-specific evidence audit.
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Pain persists despite rest and simple self-care for a couple of weeks
01 · Know
What is Tendonitis?
Tendonitis is inflammation of a tendon, the tough tissue that connects muscle to bone, usually caused by repetitive movement or overuse. It commonly affects the shoulder, elbow, wrist, knee, or Achilles tendon, causing pain, tenderness, and sometimes mild swelling around the affected area.
It often develops gradually with repeated strain, such as from sports, manual work, or repetitive tasks, and usually improves with rest and simple self-care, though it can become a long-standing problem if the underlying cause isn't addressed.
02 · Understand
Clinical context
Self-care advice
See a GP or physiotherapist if pain persists despite rest, or if it's affecting your daily activities significantly.
03 · Act
When to see a doctor
- 1Pain persists despite rest and simple self-care for a couple of weeks
- 2You notice significant swelling, redness, or warmth around the tendon
- 3Pain is severe or came on suddenly with a specific injury
- 4You have reduced movement or weakness in the affected area
- 5Symptoms keep recurring despite previous treatment
04 · Prevent & manage
Practical steps
Take these self-care steps
These measures can help ease symptoms, support recovery, and reduce the chance of things worsening — but they don't replace medical advice if symptoms are severe or persistent.
- 1Rest the affected tendon.Avoiding or modifying the activity that's causing strain gives the tendon time to heal.
- 2Apply ice regularly.Using an ice pack for 15-20 minutes several times a day can help reduce pain and inflammation, especially in the first few days.
- 3Take anti-inflammatory pain relief if needed.This can ease discomfort and help you rest more comfortably.
- 4Gradually reintroduce movement and strengthening.Once pain settles, gentle stretching and strengthening exercises help the tendon recover fully and prevent recurrence.
- 5Address the underlying cause.Consider whether repetitive movements, technique, or equipment need adjusting to prevent the problem coming back.
Evidence
References
BarnMD Health Intelligence uses authoritative and clinically relevant sources appropriate to the topic. References are shown so readers can inspect the evidence directly.
- HSE: Tendonitis ↗
Medical information notice
Health education, not individual medical advice
BarnMD Health Library provides general health education for public health literacy. Reading this article does not establish a doctor-patient relationship and this information is not a diagnosis, prescription, or personalised treatment plan. If you have symptoms or concerns about your health, seek appropriate advice from a qualified healthcare professional. If you develop emergency warning signs, seek urgent or emergency medical attention.
BarnMD Bottom Line
Tendonitis usually improves within a few weeks with rest and simple self-care, though addressing the underlying cause helps prevent it recurring.
Rest alone often isn't enough — gradually rebuilding strength in the tendon once pain settles is key to a full, lasting recovery.