What is Tendonitis

Tendonitis is a common condition that can cause significant pain. Tendonitis occurs when there is inflammation of tendons. Find out more about tendonitis and its treatment in this video.

Jesus: Hello! My name is Jesus, I'm 57 years old, I'm from Stockton, California. I like to know what is tendonitis and how is to be treated. Dr. Brain Davis: Jesus, I'd like to thank you for your question about tendonitis. Tendonitis is a very general term that we use to describe injury to either muscle or to a tendon or to the interface between the tendon and muscle. This can occur either because of a sudden tear that happens in the muscles or because of wear and tear that happens overtime because of sports or some type of work injury. Usually, this can be caused by a sudden type of injury or because of overuse. Treatment will obviously differ, based upon the structure that's been affected. So for example, rotator cuff tendonitis in the shoulder will vary in terms of its treatment compare to tendonitis of a hamstring muscle. Many times your treatment will start off by focusing on stretching and strengthening the muscles around the injury in order to try to make this muscle work better because it has been injured. Fixing spot or work areas that cause the injury also will be helpful. We may want to consider anti-inflammatory medication, sometimes injections, and in severe cases we may have to think about surgery, either to go and fix the tendon and the muscle itself or to try to move bone away from the injured tendon. Fortunately, most people will get better without ever having to consider surgery with a good exercise program.