Tendinitis is inflammation or irritation of a tendon — the thick fibrous cords that attach muscle to bone. The condition causes pain and tenderness just outside a joint.
While tendinitis can occur in any of your tendons, it’s most common around your shoulders, elbows, wrists, knees, and heels.
Some common names for various tendinitis problems are:
- Tennis elbow
- Golfer’s elbow
- Pitcher’s shoulder
- Swimmer’s shoulder
- Jumper’s knee
Most cases of tendinitis can be successfully treated with rest, physical therapy, and medications to reduce pain. If tendinitis is severe and leads to the rupture of a tendon, you may need surgery.