Tendonitis Treatment

Medically reviewed by:

Dr Dan Bunstone - Medical Officer

Updated: Aug 18, 2021

Next review: Aug 18, 2022

Tendonitis can be a painful condition. Treating it will usually involve minimising movement and resting the affected joint. If it’s mild, it should heal within a couple of weeks, though if it is more severe, it may take longer.

Depending on which tendon is affected, you may have to stop certain activities, such as playing sport or going to the gym.

Let’s take a closer look at how to deal with tendonitis.

The treatment for tendonitis will vary depending on which tendon is causing you pain and how severe the pain is. Although there is no specific tendonitis cure, there area number of treatment options that can help relieve symptoms. These include:

Painkillers - anti-inflammatory painkillers, such as ibuprofen, and other pain medications may be recommended to deal with the pain the tendonitis is causing.
Ice or heat pack - Applying a cold compress or a hot one can help reduce swelling and pain. You can place a bag of frozen peas in a towel and hold it to the joint, or wrap a hot water bottle in a towel at home.
Compression bandage - these can help with the swelling and inflammation.
Rest and elevation - you should try to rest and elevate the affected joint as recommended by a medical professional, and you can use a brace or splint to keep the joint stable whilst it recovers. You can gradually introduce gentle exercises to prevent stiffness and to help build up strength.

If your tendonitis is severe and doesn’t respond to the treatments above, you may be recommended:

In some cases, an infection may cause tendonitis and a course of antibiotics will need to be taken to treat the infection.

Corticosteroid injections - these can help reduce pain and swelling, sometime temporarily.
Physiotherapy - you may need to do some physio exercises to help make the muscles stronger.
Surgery - in severe cases you may need surgery to treat the tendonitis, though this is usually a last resort.

The treatment for your tendonitis will be tailored to your symptoms and will depend on which joint is causing you pain. The doctor will be able to advise you on the best ways to avoid further damage to the tendon and may refer you for specialist treatment if needed.

Tendonitis treatment can help make sure that your tendon heals correctly and minimise the risk of developing further problems.

Leaving the tendon untreated, or ignoring the symptoms, could make them worse or affect other parts of the joint. If the tendonitis is left untreated you are more at risk of rupturing a tendon, which is a serious problem and will need immediate medical attention.

You can prevent further complications of tendonitis by taking steps to stop the problem developing in other joints or in the same joint again. Warm up before exercising, keep muscles flexible and strong and avoid repetitive movements or overuse of your joints.

You can see a doctor about your dry mouth at a time that suits you. They can offer you the diagnosis, advice and treatment you may need. They can also refer you to a specialist for further investigation and tests, if needed.

Dr Dan Bunstone - Medical Officer

How is tendonitis treated?

What happens if tendonitis is left untreated?

How can Push Doctor help?