Tendonitis Treatment

Tendonitis—also known as tendinopathy—often clears up on its own over time. But if tendonitis worsens with rest, we can help you get back to a pain-free life quickly.

Subspecialty Tendonitis Care in New Hampshire

We offer the full range of tendinopathy treatments at office locations in Nashua, Bedford and Londonderry. And because we have many tendonitis providers, we can quickly get you in for your initial evaluation. When you come to us, you can also expect:

  • Subspecialty care: Tendonitis can affect different areas of the body, from the shoulders to the feet. At New Hampshire Orthopaedic Center (NHOC), many of our experts have advanced (fellowship) training in every area of the body’s musculoskeletal system. You’ll be cared for by a provider who subspecializes in the joint or area of the body where you have developed tendonitis. They offer decades of experience delivering accurate diagnoses and effective treatments.
  • Comprehensive tendonitis treatment options: Each type of tendonitis responds to treatment differently. Some tendinopathies improve after injections such as cortisone and platelet-rich plasma therapy (PRP), while others respond better to physical therapy. At NHOC, you have access to the full range of tendonitis treatments. Your tendonitis specialist will take the time to explain the cause and mechanics of the condition, so you can choose the option that’s best for you.
  • Convenience: NHOC is a one-stop shop for all your tendonitis needs. From X-rays to bracing, injections and physical therapy, you don’t have to go elsewhere to get relief for your symptoms.
  • Personalized treatments: Whether you’re an athlete or have a job involving repetitive movements, we’ve got you covered. At NHOC, there is no one-size-fits-all approach to tendonitis care. Instead, our specialists personalize treatment plans so you can get back to life on your terms. As a result, our patients experience outstanding outcomes.
  • Expert care for student-athletes: Our sports medicine specialists include tendonitis doctors who work with local high schools and colleges. This role gives them extensive experience caring for young athletes’ still-developing muscles and tendons. Their expertise leads to faster recoveries and excellent results for students.

Understanding Tendonitis and Tendinosis

The tendons are strong cords of connective tissue that attach muscles to bones. Certain repetitive movements or age-related wear and tear can damage tendons. This damage can lead to pain, tenderness and swelling in the affected area.

Your body has thousands of tendons, and all of them can develop tendonitis and tendinosis. Tendonitis occurs when the tendon’s covering (tendon sheath) is inflamed. Tendinosis happens when the tendon itself breaks down as it ages. However, people often use both terms interchangeably.

We treat all tendinopathy conditions, including:

Shoulder tendonitis

We treat all types of shoulder tendonitis, including:

  • Biceps tendonitis: Biceps tendonitis affects the biceps tendon, which connects the biceps muscle to the shoulder. Find out more about our shoulder care.
  • Rotator cuff tendonitis (rotator cuff impingement syndrome): The rotator cuff is the set of muscles and tendons surrounding the joint where your arm bone and shoulder socket meet. Tendonitis can affect the rotator cuff’s tendons.
  • Calcific tendonitis: Calcific tendonitis happens when calcium deposits build up in the tendons. This buildup most often happens in the rotator cuff tendons.

Elbow tendonitis

We treat tendonitis that affects the elbow, including:

  • Golfer’s and baseball elbow (medial epicondylitis): This condition affects the tendons that connect the wrist flexor muscles in the forearm to the inside of the elbow. The term “medial” refers to the “inside” of the elbow.
  • Tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis): This condition affects the tendons that connect the wrist flexor muscles in the forearm to the outside of the elbow. The term “lateral” refers to the “outside” of the elbow.

Wrist tendonitis

Tenosynovitis is wrist tendonitis. It affects the tendons that connect your forearm muscles to your fingers. Types of wrist tenosynovitis include:

  • De Quervain’s tenosynovitis (De Quervain’s tendinosis): This condition affects the tendons that connect your thumb and wrist.
  • Trigger finger and trigger thumb (stenosing tenosynovitis): Stenosing tenosynovitis affects the flexor tendons that run from the forearms to your fingers. The flexor tendons allow the fingers and thumb to make a fist and grip things. Trigger finger or thumb is characterized by a finger or thumb that gets stuck bent towards the palm. Learn more about our hand and upper extremity care.

Core, groin and hip tendonitis

We treat tendinopathies that affect the middle and lower half of your body, including:

  • Core muscle injury: A core muscle injury is tendonitis of your core muscles, also known as your abdominal muscles. It often leads to pain in your lower abdominal or groin area. It is also known as a sports hernia.
  • Abductor tendonitis: Abductor tendonitis affects the gluteus tendons, which run along the outside of the hip.
  • Adductor tendonitis: Adductor tendonitis affects the adductor tendons, which run along the groin and inner thighs.
  • Hip flexor tendonitis: Hip flexor tendonitis affects the tendons that attach the hip flexor muscles to the upper thighs. The hip flexor muscles are in the front of your thighs and move your hips up and down.
  • Snapping hip syndrome: Tendons run across the edge of the pelvic bone and can become inflamed. This inflammation can cause an audible or painful clicking when you move your hip. Read more about hip treatment at NHOC.

Leg and ankle tendonitis

We treat tendinopathies that affect your legs and feet, including:

  • Hamstring tendonitis: Hamstring tendonitis affects the long tendons in the back of the thigh. They start at the hip and run to the knee.
  • IT (iliotibial) band syndrome: The IT band is a tendon that runs along the outside of your legs from your hip to your knee. Friction from this tendon rubbing across hip and knee bones causes this form of tendonitis.
  • Patellar tendonitis (jumper’s knee): Patellar tendonitis affects the tendon that connects your kneecap to your shin. Learn about our treatments for knee pain.
  • Achilles tendonitis: Achilles tendonitis affects the Achilles tendon, which connects your calf muscles to your heel bone.

How Long Does Tendonitis Take to Heal?

With the right treatments, tendonitis will get better. But recovery timelines often aren’t as predictable as recovering from a fracture. The deep experience of our tendonitis doctors helps them select the best treatments for your situation so that you can heal as quickly as possible.

It may take weeks to months to be symptom-free. How long it takes tendonitis to heal depends on:

  • The severity of the condition
  • Your health goals, such as returning to a particular sport or activity
  • Your personal health history and lifestyle

Diagnosing Tendonitis

Tendonitis shares similar symptoms with hundreds of other orthopedic conditions. And there isn’t one test that definitively diagnoses it. To ensure an accurate diagnosis, your tendonitis doctor will perform a thorough evaluation.

Your doctor will listen carefully as you answer questions about your symptoms, medical history and treatment goals. Your doctor will also examine the affected area. To rule out or confirm certain conditions, you may undergo imaging tests such as X-rays or an MRI.

For your convenience, X-rays are available during your office visit. We also offer MRI services in our Nashua and Bedford offices. MRI uses radiofrequencies and magnetic fields to make images of the inside of your body.

Once we diagnose you, we help coordinate the next steps in your care. This care coordination may include treatment referrals and education about self-care.

Our Tendinopathy and Tendinosis Treatments

Your tendonitis doctor will create a treatment plan tailored to your health needs and goals. It may involve:

  • Activity modification: Changing how you perform certain activities plays a key role in helping tendons heal. We teach you the adjustments to your daily and exercise routine that will have the most impact.
  • Medication: We may recommend temporarily using anti-inflammatory medication to decrease muscle and tendon swelling and pain.
  • Bracing: Certain types of bracing can help relieve tendonitis symptoms. We fit you for and send you home with the brace you need here in our offices. This process saves you time and an extra stop.
  • Cold laser therapy (low-level laser therapy): Cold laser therapy is a noninvasive treatment for pain and swelling. During cold laser therapy, a laser emits light energy into the cells damaged by tendonitis. This energy stimulates healing, speeds up recovery and has no side effects.
  • Injections: For your convenience, we offer comprehensive injection options in our offices. Injections such as cortisone and platelet-rich plasma therapy (PRP) help relieve pain and inflammation. They also help heal chronically irritated tendons. Patients usually start to feel better in about three to five days.
  • Barbotage: Barbotage is a calcific tendonitis treatment you can get in our offices. We break up or drain the calcium deposits using ultrasound guidance and a needle.
  • Surgery: Rarely people don’t respond to nonsurgical treatments. If you need surgery, you most likely have a related condition that needs repair. For example, you may have a rotator cuff tear along with biceps tendonitis. At NHOC, our orthopedic surgeons are skilled in the full range of orthopedic procedures, including arthroscopic surgery. Read more about our orthopedic specialties.

Physical therapy for tendonitis

Physical therapy for tendonitis can help speed up your recovery. Our physical therapists work closely with your tendonitis specialist to create a customized plan for you. Then, they guide you and monitor your progress to ensure a safe and timely recovery.

Your physical therapy plan may include tendon mobilization, stretches and strengthening exercises. We also offer more advanced treatments like dry needling.

Dry needling is like acupuncture for the muscles. During it, a physical therapist places thin needles into knotted areas of muscle called trigger points. This process helps relieve pain. Learn more about our physical and occupational therapy services


Locations

Nashua
17 Riverside Street, Suite 101
Nashua, NH 03062
Get directions

Bedford
9 Washington Place, Suite 101
Bedford, NH 03110
Get directions

Londonderry
41 Buttrick Road
Londonderry, NH 03053
Get directions


Contact Us About Tendonitis Care

For questions about our hip program, or to make an appointment with one of our hip specialists, call or text 603.883.0091.



Tendonitis Treatment Physicians