How Long Does Tendonitis Last: Key Facts and Helpful Tips

Tendonitis, also referred to as tendinopathy, is the inflammation of a tendon. Tendons are bands of fibrous connective tissues that attach bones to muscles.

Common symptoms of tendonitis are joint pain, swelling, and loss of joint function.

Tendonitis is most commonly caused by repetitive stress injury due to overuse of the tendon. Other less common causes, such as metabolic diseases (diabetes, hyperlipidaemia), smoking, and genetics have also been linked to an increased risk factor of developing tendonitis.¹

This article can help provide insights into understanding how long tendonitis lasts, the causes of tendonitis, and offers practical tips to alleviate painful symptoms.

Who is Affected by Tendonitis?

Tendonitis typically develops over time as a result of repetitive motion that causes accumulated micro-injuries to the tendon. This makes tendonitis common with occupations involving manual labor, desk-related jobs, or repetitive use of certain limbs, such as athletes, office workers, or musicians.

Aging is also a risk factor, due to the accumulation of micro-trauma to the tendons and tendon tissues losing their elasticity over the years.²

Some common tendonitis conditions include:

Wrist tendonitis
Rotator cuff tendinopathy
Tennis elbow (Lateral epicondylitis)
Runner’s knee (Patellar tendonitis)
Achilles tendonitis
Foot & ankle tendonitis (Posterior tibial)

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How Long Does Tendonitis Last?

The severity and location of the affected tendon significantly influence the healing time. Most minor tendon injuries heal within 3-6 weeks. Tendons that are more susceptible to reinjury, such as those in the elbows, wrists, and knees, may experience aggravation for six months or longer.^3,4

Recurrence is common, unless joint usage is changed to accommodate the injury. Without such changes, acute injuries, like tennis elbow, can become chronic and potentially lead to tendon rupture or tendinosis, a chronic condition that occurs when collagens in tendons degenerates due to repetitive injury.⁵

Chronic tendonitis may require ongoing management to control symptoms and prevent flare-ups, including addressing underlying health conditions such as diabetes.

At-Home Treatment

Tendonitis is often treated at home by addressing immediate pain and following a recovery program to restore joint function and strength.⁶ Consult a doctor or licensed physical therapist before applying these treatments and starting a new exercise regimen.

Rest! Avoid activities that strain the affected tendon.
Apply ice to reduce pain and swelling.
Use splints, compression bandages, or braces for additional joint support.
Take over-the-counter NSAIDs like ibuprofen (Advil) or naproxen (Aleve).

Once the initial pain and swelling subside, gradually introduce gentle stretching and strengthening exercises to regain range of motion.

Exercises like eccentric strengthening, where muscles are slowly lengthened while using resistance (light weights or body weight), have been shown to have promising results for tendonitis recovery and building tendon strength.^7,8

‍Seeing a Healthcare Provider

Consult your doctor if your condition does not improve, worsens, or if you cannot move or bear weight on the joint after several days. Seek immediate medical care if:

Severe bruising or bleeding occurs
Joint is misshapen
A popping sound is heard at the time of injury

In chronic cases of tendonitis, conventional treatments such as surgery or steroid injections may be necessary.

Unfortunately, even after full recovery, post-surgical chronic pain is common, often due to the formation of scar tissue in the surrounding soft tissues, also known as fascia. Additionally, recent studies have shown repeated steroid injections can lead to weakened tendons, especially those that support a lot of body weight.⁹

RELIEF® specializes in addressing post-surgical chronic pain and discomfort related to tendonitis. Our innovative treatment addresses fascia by utilizing hydrodissection and growth proteins, without the need for medication, surgery, steroids, or sedation.^10,11

If you’re considering RELIEF® for yourself or a loved one dealing with chronic joint pain, contact us to learn more.