Symptoms of tendonitis include:
- pain that becomes worse if you move the affected area
- a sensation that the tendon is grating or crackling as it moves (this may be felt on examination)
- swelling, sometimes with heat or redness
- weakness in the affected area, because of the pain
- a lump that develops along the tendon
If symptoms persist, the tendon may rupture (split) and a gap may be felt in the line of the tendon. Movement of that area will become more difficult.
Types of tendonitis and tenosynovitis
Tendonitis can occur in many different parts of the body. If the sheath surrounding the tendon, rather than the tendon itself, becomes inflamed, the condition is called tenosynovitis.
Supraspinatus tendonitis (shoulder)
Supraspinatus tendonitis is inflammation of the tendon around the top of the shoulder joint.
It causes pain when you move the arm, particularly if you lift it high.
The pain may also occur when you are lying on the shoulder at night. It is often part of a condition called rotator cuff syndrome, where other tendons in the same area are also affected.
Calcific tendonitis (shoulder)
Calcific tendonitis is when crystals of a mineral called calcium phosphate form in the supraspinatus tendon in your shoulder. It can cause long-term mild pain, combined with short episodes of more severe pain. The pain may also spread down your arm or up into your neck.
Calcific tendonitis may also cause weakness or stiffness of your shoulder. It is very similar to supraspinatus tendonitis, but the calcium crystals will be visible on an X-ray.
Biceps tendonitis (upper arm)
Biceps tendonitis affects the tendon that attaches the muscle on the front of your upper arm (bicep) to your shoulder. This can cause pain in your shoulder and upper arm, which may be worse if you lift or reach overhead.
Tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow
Tennis elbow is pain on the outside of the elbow. Golfer’s elbow is pain on the inside of the elbow.
These conditions cause pain when you move your elbow, particularly when you lift it against a force. The pain is usually around the elbow but may spread down your forearm towards the wrist. You may have less grip strength because of the pain, and your elbow may feel stiff.
De Quervain’s tenosynovitis (thumb)
De Quervain’s tenosynovitis is inflammation of the sheath that surrounds the thumb tendons, which run between the wrist and the thumb. There is obvious swelling and thickening of the sheath and it becomes very painful to move your thumb.
Trigger finger or thumb
Trigger finger or thumb is where the finger or thumb become fixed in a bent position and there is a clicking sensation when it is straightened out. This is because of thickening and inflammation of the tendon sheath in the palm of the hand. It may also be caused by a small lump forming along the tendon.
Achilles tendonitis (heel)
Achilles tendonitis is inflammation of the tendon between the heel and the calf muscle. It is commonly caused by a sports injury. It may also be caused by wearing shoes that do not fit or support the foot properly, causing you to walk awkwardly. It can also be associated with rheumatoid arthritis.
