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Tendinitis

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Last reviewed June 12, 2026 · AI-assisted, human-reviewed

Overview

Tendinitis is an inflammation or irritation of a tendon, the thick fibrous cords that attach muscle to bone, often causing pain and tenderness near a joint.

Tendinitis, sometimes referred to as tendinopathy, is a condition characterized by inflammation or irritation of a tendon. Tendons are strong, flexible bands of fibrous tissue that connect muscles to bones, enabling movement. When a tendon becomes inflamed, it can cause pain, tenderness, and impaired movement in the affected area. This condition commonly occurs in areas such as the shoulder (rotator cuff tendinitis), elbow (tennis elbow or golfer's elbow), wrist, knee (jumper's knee), and heel (Achilles tendinitis). The primary cause of tendinitis is often repetitive motion or overuse, which can lead to micro-tears in the tendon. Other contributing factors may include sudden injury, improper technique during physical activity, poor posture, age-related changes in tendon elasticity, and certain medical conditions like arthritis or diabetes. While tendinitis can affect anyone, it is particularly common in athletes and individuals whose occupations involve repetitive tasks or awkward positions. Management typically involves rest, pain relief, and physical therapy to restore function and prevent recurrence.
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When to seek urgent medical care

  • Sudden, severe pain
  • Inability to move a joint
  • Deformity of the joint
  • Fever or chills with joint pain
  • Numbness or tingling
  • Pain that does not improve with rest
  • Signs of infection (e.g., spreading redness, pus)

Common symptoms

  • Pain near a joint
  • Tenderness to touch
  • Swelling
  • Stiffness
  • Reduced range of motion
  • Warmth or redness

Possible contributors

  • Repetitive movements
  • Overuse
  • Sudden injury
  • Improper technique
  • Poor posture
  • Age-related changes
  • Certain medical conditions
  • Lack of conditioning

Labs to discuss with your clinician

  • C-reactive protein (CRP)
  • Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR)
  • Vitamin D levels
  • Blood glucose (HbA1c)
  • Thyroid function tests

All Remedies

Ranked by community outcomes, then evidence grade, Health Voice mentions, and recency.

Remedies

#2Vitamin CEvidence · Grade ASafety: watchView remedy

Why it may help Tendinitis: Co-factor for collagen synthesis

Typical dose
500-1000 mg daily
Mechanism
Essential for collagen synthesis and acts as an antioxidant, supporting tissue repair.
Notes
Best taken with collagen for synergistic effects.
Evidence
limited
#3GingerEvidence · Grade ASafety: watchView remedy

A pungent root that has been studied for nausea and digestive comfort.

#4BromelainEvidence · Grade BSafety: watchView remedy

Bromelain is a group of protein-digesting enzymes from pineapple, often used as a dietary supplement for its potential anti-inflammatory and tissue-healing properties.

Why it may help Tendinitis: Topical Arnica may reduce inflammation and pain in tendinitis by inhibiting pro-inflammatory cytokines and modulating immune responses in the affected tissues.

Why it may help Tendinitis: Devil's Claw contains iridoid glycosides, such as harpagoside, which have been shown to inhibit inflammatory pathways, potentially reducing pain and inflammation in tendinitis.

Why it may help Tendinitis: White Willow Bark contains salicin, which is metabolized into salicylic acid, a compound that inhibits prostaglandin synthesis, thereby reducing inflammation and pain associated with tendinitis.

Emerging Research

#2Magnesium GlycinateEvidence · Grade DSafety: watchView remedy

Why it may help Tendinitis: Relaxes surrounding muscles

Typical dose
200-400 mg daily
Mechanism
Involved in muscle relaxation and nerve function, which may help reduce muscle tension contributing to tendon stress.
Notes
Magnesium Glycinate or Magnesium Malate are often well-tolerated.
Evidence
limited
#3TurmericEvidence · Grade DSafety: watchView remedy

Why it may help Tendinitis: Curcumin reduces tendon inflammation

Typical dose
500-1000 mg curcuminoids daily
Mechanism
Contains curcumin, which has anti-inflammatory properties that may alleviate pain and swelling.
Notes
Often enhanced with piperine for better absorption.
Evidence
moderate
#5Magnesium MalateEvidence · Grade DSafety: watchView remedy

Magnesium bound to malic acid for energy and fibromyalgia pain.

Typical dose
200-400 mg daily
Mechanism
Involved in muscle relaxation and nerve function, which may help reduce muscle tension contributing to tendon stress.
Notes
Magnesium Glycinate or Magnesium Malate are often well-tolerated.
Evidence
limited
#6QuercetinEvidence · Grade DSafety: watchView remedy

Why it may help Tendinitis: Quercetin, a flavonoid, may reduce inflammation in tendinitis by inhibiting the production of pro-inflammatory mediators and modulating immune cell activity in the affected tendons.

#7Algal OilEvidence · Grade DSafety: watchView remedy

Algal oil is a plant-based source of omega-3 fatty acids (EPA and DHA) that supports brain, eye, and heart health, offering a sustainable alternative to fish oil.

Community outcomes

What people report for Tendinitis

Self-reported by community members · not medical advice.

What people report for this condition

Self-reported community outcomes. Not medical advice. Requires at least three reports per remedy to surface.

Community outcome data is still being collected for this ailment.

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People Like Me insights

As more members share outcomes, RemedyAtlas will show which remedies helped people with similar conditions, symptoms, goals, and lab patterns.

Community discussion

Structured experience reports from people managing this condition. Not medical advice.

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Community Discussions

What people say about Tendinitis

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Lifestyle foundations

  • Rest and activity modification
  • Proper warm-up and cool-down
  • Ergonomic adjustments
  • Stress management
  • Adequate hydration
  • Balanced nutrition
  • Regular, appropriate exercise
  • Quality sleep

Dietary recommendations

  • Anti-inflammatory diet
  • Increase omega-3 rich foods
  • Adequate protein intake
  • Include vitamin C rich foods
  • Hydration with water
  • Limit refined sugars
  • Reduce processed foods
  • Include antioxidant-rich foods

Lifestyle interventions

  • Rest affected area (activity modification)
  • Ice application (15-20 min, several times/day)
  • Gentle stretching and strengthening exercises (as tolerated)
  • Ergonomic adjustments at work/home
  • Stress reduction techniques (e.g., meditation, deep breathing)
  • 7-9 hours quality sleep nightly
  • Proper warm-up before exercise
  • Gradual increase in activity levels

Evidence at a glance

Moderate Evidence

Omega-3 Fatty AcidsTurmericArnica (Topical)

Traditional Use

Boswellia (Frankincense)Devil's ClawGingerWhite Willow Bark

International evidence & guidelines

How global health authorities view Tendinitis.

Major health organizations like the Mayo Clinic and NHS emphasize rest, ice, compression, and elevation (RICE) for initial tendinitis management, along with physical therapy. While they acknowledge the role of anti-inflammatory medications, they generally advise caution regarding herbal or supplemental approaches due to limited robust clinical trial data. Some organizations, like NCCIH, note traditional uses of certain botanicals for pain and inflammation but stress the need for more research.

Evidence ecosystem

Indexed studies for Tendinitis, grouped by source type and quality.

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Meta-Analyses(4)

Pooled analyses across multiple human trials.

Very High Quality
  • Fluoroquinolones and the risk of tendon injury: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

    Alves C, Mendes D, Marques FB · European journal of clinical pharmacology · 2019

    Tendinopathy is a known adverse reaction associated to fluoroquinolones, but a meta-analysis was not yet published. The aim of this study was to conduct a systematic review and a meta-analysis of the scientific evidence evaluating the risk of tendon injury associated with fluoroquinolones. A literature search was conducted to identify observational studies which reported results on the risk of Achilles tendon rupture (ATR), risk of Achilles tendinitis (AT), or risk of any tendon disorders (ATD). A meta-analysis was performed by pooling odds ratios (ORs) with their 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Fifteen studies were included in the meta-analysis. Treatment with fluoroquinolones was associated with an increased risk of ATR (OR 2.52 (95% CI 1.81-3.52), p < 0.001, I2 = 76.7%), an increased risk of AT (OR 3.95 (95% CI 3.11-5.01), p < 0.001, I2 = 0%), and increased risk of ATD (OR 1.98 (95% CI 1.62-2.43), p < 0

    Meta-AnalysisPubMedVery High Quality
  • Risk factors for rotator cuff tendinopathy: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

    Leong HT, Fu SC, He X, Oh JH, Yamamoto N, Hang S · Journal of rehabilitation medicine · 2019

    To conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis to identify risk and associated factors for symptomatic rotator cuff tendinopathy. PubMed, CINAHL and Scopus were searched from inception to June 2017. Participants presented with signs and symptoms suggestive of rotator cuff tendinopathy/tendinosis/tendinitis, shoulder impingement syndrome, or subacromial bursitis diagnosed by clinical tests and/or conventional imaging. Screening, quality assessment and data extraction were carried out by 2 reviewers. Sixteen studies were included in this review. Overall, 22 factors were identified and 5 factors were explored using meta-analysis. Pooled analyses provided strong evidence that age above 50 years (odds ratio (OR)?=?3.31, 95% confidence interval (95% CI)?=?2.304.76, I2?=?0%, p<0.001) and diabetes (OR?=?2.24, 95% CI?=?1.373.65, I2?=?0%, p?=?0.001) were associated with increased risk of rotator cuff tendinopathy. In addition, moderate evidence showed that work with the shoulder above 9

    Meta-AnalysisPubMedVery High Quality
  • Electrotherapy modalities for rotator cuff disease.

    Page MJ, Green S, Mrocki MA, Surace SJ, Deitch J, McBain B · The Cochrane database of systematic reviews · 2016 · n=43

    Management of rotator cuff disease may include use of electrotherapy modalities (also known as electrophysical agents), which aim to reduce pain and improve function via an increase in energy (electrical, sound, light, or thermal) into the body. Examples include therapeutic ultrasound, low-level laser therapy (LLLT), transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), and pulsed electromagnetic field therapy (PEMF). These modalities are usually delivered as components of a physical therapy intervention. This review is one of a series of reviews that form an update of the Cochrane review, 'Physiotherapy interventions for shoulder pain'. To synthesise available evidence regarding the benefits and harms of electrotherapy modalities for the treatment of people with rotator cuff disease. We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL; 2015, Issue 3), Ovid MEDLINE (January 1966 to March 2015), Ovid EMBASE (January 1980 to March 2015), CINAHL Plus (EBSCOhost, Januar

    Meta-AnalysisPubMedVery High Quality

Systematic Reviews(2)

Structured reviews of the full body of evidence (incl. Cochrane).

Very High Quality
  • A systematic review of shockwave therapies in soft tissue conditions: focusing on the evidence.

    Speed C · British journal of sports medicine · 2014

    'Shock wave' therapies are now extensively used in the treatment of musculoskeletal injuries. This systematic review summarises the evidence base for the use of these modalities. A thorough search of the literature was performed to identify studies of adequate quality to assess the evidence base for shockwave therapies on pain in specific soft tissue injuries. Both focused extracorporeal shockwave therapy (F-ESWT) and radial pulse therapy (RPT) were examined. 23 appropriate studies were identified. There is evidence for the benefit of F-ESWT and of RPT in a number of soft tissue musculoskeletal conditions, and evidence that both treatment modalities are safe. There is evidence that F-ESWT is effective in the treatment of plantar fasciitis, calcific tendinitis, and that RPT is effective in plantar fasciitis. Where benefit is seen in F-ESWT, it appears to be dose dependent, with greater success seen with higher dose regimes. There is low level evidence for lack of benefit of low-dose F

    Systematic ReviewPubMedVery High Quality
  • A systematic review of the effectiveness of kinesio taping for musculoskeletal injury.

    Mostafavifar M, Wertz J, Borchers J · The Physician and sportsmedicine · 2012

    Kinesio taping (KT) is used to prevent and treat musculoskeletal injuries. This systematic review examines the evidence for the effectiveness of KT in improving patient outcomes following musculoskeletal injury. A literature search (October 2011) was performed using PubMed, CINAHL, Scopus, SportsDiscus, and Cochrane databases. The literature search employed the keywords "kinesio tap*" or "kinesiotap*" or "athletic tap*" and "performance" or "function" or "strength" or "activity" or "pain" or "muscle" and "athlet*" or "sport*." These searches yielded a total of 727 articles, which were reviewed thoroughly to identify suitable articles. Six studies met our criteria and were included in this systematic review. Two of these studies examined musculoskeletal injuries in the lower extremity and reported that the use of KT did not affect outcome measures. Two studies examined musculoskeletal injuries involving the spine. Treatment with KT significantly improved pain levels and range of motio

    Systematic ReviewPubMedVery High Quality

Clinical Guidelines(9)

Recommendations from medical societies (NICE, AHA, ADA, ACG, Endocrine Society…).

High Quality
  • Update of guideline for diagnosis and treatment of subacromial pain syndrome: a multidisciplinary review by the Dutch Orthopedic Association Part 1: preventive measures, diagnostics, and non-surgical treatment of subacromial pain syndrome.

    Lambers Heerspink FO, Veen EJD, Dorrestijn O, Visser CPJ, Leijs MJC, Van Poppel D · Acta orthopaedica · 2026

    In 2013, the first clinical practice guideline for subacromial pain syndrome (SAPS) was developed in the Netherlands to support healthcare professionals. SAPS refers to non-traumatic, non-rheumatologic shoulder complaints that are particularly painful during arm elevation. It includes conditions such as supraspinatus tendinosis, calcific tendinitis, and degenerative supraspinatus tears. Over 50,000 patients annually consult orthopedic surgeons for these issues. In response to new evidence and clinical needs, an updated guideline was developed. Part 1 addresses prevention, diagnosis, imaging, and non-surgical treatment. Using a multidisciplinary, evidence-based approach, the guideline aims to answer key clinical questions around SAPS. Initiated by the Dutch Orthopedic Society, the guideline committee identified knowledge gaps through group sessions. Each module was based on a PICO-formatted key question and reviewed by professionals from different fields. The AGREE and GRADE methods we

    Clinical GuidelinePubMed (Practice Guideline)Very High Quality
  • Update of guideline for diagnosis and treatment of subacromial pain syndrome: a multidisciplinary review by the Dutch Orthopedic Association Part 2: Operative considerations and treatment of various conditions related to subacromial pain syndrome.

    Lambers Heerspink FO, Veen EJD, Dorrestijn O, Visser CPJ, Leijs MJC, Van Poppel D · Acta orthopaedica · 2026

    In 2013, the first clinical practice guideline for subacromial pain syndrome (SAPS) was developed in the Netherlands to support healthcare professionals. SAPS refers to non-traumatic, non-rheumatologic shoulder complaints that are particularly painful during arm elevation. It includes conditions such as supraspinatus tendinosis, calcific tendinitis, and degenerative supraspinatus tears. Over 50,000 patients annually consult orthopedic surgeons for these issues. In response to new evidence and clinical needs, an updated guideline was developed. Part 2 focuses on supraspinatus tears, biceps tendon pathology, and calcific tendinosis. Using a multidisciplinary, evidence-based approach, the guideline aims to answer key clinical questions around SAPS. Initiated by the Dutch Orthopedic Society, the guideline committee identified knowledge gaps through group sessions. Each module was based on a PICO-formatted key question and reviewed by professionals from different fields. The AGREE and GRAD

    Clinical GuidelinePubMed (Practice Guideline)Very High Quality
  • Achilles Pain, Stiffness, and Muscle Power Deficits: Midportion Achilles Tendinopathy Revision - 2024.

    The Journal of orthopaedic and sports physical therapy · 2025

    Midportion tendinopathy is a common overuse lower extremity injury, with a prevalence of 4% to 7%. Achilles tendinopathy especially affects people who participate in activities that load the Achilles tendon, such as running. The Victorian Institute of Sport Assessment-Achilles (VISA-A) questionnaire has been the go-to patient-reported outcome measure of the perceived impact of Achilles tendinopathy. Recently, new instruments have been developed to try and overcome concerns about the validity of the VISA-A. The revised CPG summarized current evidence, and updated recommendations to support evidence-based practice, including tailored clinical decision-making, about managing Achilles tendinopathy. The CPG excluded interventions that were outside the typical scope of physical therapy practice (eg, pharmacological interventions and surgery) and extracorporeal shock wave therapy. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2025;55(1):68-69. doi:10.2519/jospt.2025.0501.

    Clinical GuidelinePubMed (Practice Guideline)Very High Quality

Observational Studies(24)

Cohort, case-control, and cross-sectional human studies.

Moderate Quality
  • [Calcific tendinitis].

    Sperr A, Erber B, Horng A, Glaser C · Radiologie (Heidelberg, Germany) · 2024

    Calcific tendinitis (TC) is a common-usually self-limiting-musculoskeletal disease, histopathologically characterized by both deposition and subsequent inflammatory breakdown of calcium crystals in tendons. The disease can cause acute, sometimes excruciating pain and restricted movement in the shoulder joint. Furthermore, 10-30% of patients have a complicated course of the disease. Imaging-based assessment by X‑ray and ultrasound is required to establish the initial diagnosis and differential diagnosis as well as for follow-up. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and, to a lesser degree, computed tomography (CT) complete the imaging work-up for establishing differential diagnoses and detecting complications. The combined evaluation of clinical symptoms and imaging findings is crucial to assess prognosis, plan therapy and detect potential complications. This article provides an overview of imaging-based morphology as related to the different stages of TC, relevant

    Observational StudyPubMedLow Quality
  • Systematic Review of Platelet-Rich Plasma in Medical and Surgical Specialties: Quality, Evaluation, Evidence, and Enforcement.

    Rahman E, Rao P, Abu-Farsakh HN, Thonse C, Ali I, Upton AE · Journal of clinical medicine · 2024 · n=5726

    Background: Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is widely used in various medical and surgical specialties for its regenerative properties, including aesthetics (facial rejuvenation, hair restoration, and skin tightening) and orthopedics (treatment of tendinitis and osteoarthritis). However, the inconsistent literature on PRP's efficacy and safety leads to critical knowledge gaps. This systematic review evaluates quality control measures in PRP preparation and application and explores the regulatory environment governing its clinical use. Methods: Following PRISMA guidelines, a comprehensive search was conducted across multiple databases, including PubMed, EMBASE, and Web of Science, for studies published from January 2020 to April 2024. The review included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) involving human participants undergoing PRP treatment for aesthetic or regenerative purposes. Key parameters such as the PRP preparation methods, platelet concentration, and quality control measures were a

    Observational StudyPubMedLow Quality
  • Trapezium Tunnel Syndrome.

    Afshar A, Tabrizi A, Shariyate MJ · The Journal of hand surgery · 2024

    The trapezium tunnel is situated on the lateral side of the carpal tunnel, lined with synovial tissue, and accommodates the flexor carpi radialis tendon. Trapezium tunnel syndrome is characterized by flexor carpi radialis tendinitis/peritendinitis and may lead to complicated clinical scenarios, such as flexor carpi radialis tendon rupture and the formation of primary or recurrent ganglion cysts on the volar radial side of the wrist and thenar area. Notably, the simultaneous presence of trapezium tunnel syndrome might contribute to unsuccessful outcomes in carpal tunnel surgeries. Trapezium tunnel syndrome may arise from either intrinsic or extrinsic factors. The entity of trapezium tunnel syndrome has attracted a low index of clinical suspicion because the other causes of radial side wrist pain that are more prevalent and frequent. We present a narrative review of this condition in an endeavor to heighten awareness and clinical suspicion of trapezium tunnel syndrome.

    Observational StudyPubMedLow Quality

Clinical Trial Registries(87)

Registered ongoing or completed trials (ClinicalTrials.gov).

Moderate Quality

Evidence Summaries(2)

Curated cross-source summaries (TRIP Database and similar).

High Quality
  • Tendinopathy

    TRIP Database

    TRIP Database is a clinical search engine that allows users to find high-quality research evidence on tendinopathy. It aggregates evidence from various sources to support clinical decision-making.

    Evidence SummaryTRIP DatabaseHigh Quality
  • Tendinitis

    TRIP Database

    TRIP Database is a clinical search engine designed to allow users to quickly and easily find high-quality research evidence to support their clinical practice. It aggregates evidence related to tendinitis from various sources.

    Evidence SummaryTRIP DatabaseHigh Quality

Working alongside conventional care

Conventional care for tendinitis typically involves rest, ice, pain relievers (NSAIDs), physical therapy, corticosteroid injections, and in some cases, surgery. A healthcare provider can assess the severity and recommend an appropriate treatment plan.

Related conditions

BursitisRotator cuff tendinitisTennis elbowGolfer's elbowJumper's kneeAchilles tendinitisCarpal tunnel syndromeDe Quervain's tenosynovitis

Latest News

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Health Videos

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This information is for educational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider for diagnosis and treatment of tendinitis, especially if symptoms are severe or persistent.

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