What You Need To Know About Tendon Swelling

Tendons are the tough bands of fibrous connective tissue that attach muscles to bones. They are essential for movement and stability of all limbs and joints, and they help absorb impact during forceful movements.

Tendon swelling, also referred to as tendonitis, is a common issue that can affect any tendon in your body, causing significant pain and discomfort.

In this article, we will explore what it feels like to have tendon swelling, where it typically occurs, and the common causes. We’ll also discuss related conditions and the treatment options usually prescribed to ease the pain and swelling.

If you are experiencing painful tendons, they might have tendon swelling. Our goal is to provide you with helpful insights so you can better understand your symptoms and choose the treatment options that are right for you and your lifestyle.

Let’s start by describing what tendon swelling typically feels like.

How Does Tendon Swelling Feel?

When dealing with tendon swelling, pain is the most common symptom. However, there are several other symptoms to be aware of, including:

• Pain and tenderness: Swollen tendons can cause localized pain and tenderness, ranging from mild to severe, depending on the inflammation level.
• Visible swelling: The affected area may appear puffy and inflamed.
• Grating sensation: A grating or creaking feeling during movement can occur due to the inflamed tendon rubbing against surrounding structures.
• Lumps: Small lumps may form under the skin, indicating inflammation and irritation.
• Weakness: The tendon may weaken, reducing strength and making daily activities more challenging.
• Reduced range of motion: Inflammation can restrict joint movement, making everyday tasks more difficult and painful.
• Skin discoloration: The skin over the swollen tendon may turn red and feel warm to the touch, due to increased blood flow and inflammation.

Pain is your body’s warning sign that something isn’t right. If you experience pain along with swelling, weakness, or any of these symptoms, it is important to consult a doctor to examine your symptoms and reduce the risk of further injury. Now, let’s explore where swollen tendons typically occur.

Mapping Swollen Tendon Locations

Swollen tendons can occur anywhere in the body, often due to overuse or injury. The joints and structures most susceptible are those exposed to repetitive movements or significant strain. These include:

• Shoulders: The four rotator cuff tendons in the shoulder can become inflamed from repetitive overhead movements or sports injuries.
• Elbows: Tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow are common terms for tendonitis resulting from repetitive high-force movements.
• Wrists: De Quervain’s tenosynovitis causes swelling of the wrist and thumb tendons, making it painful to rotate the wrist or grip objects.
• Knees: The knee is a common area for tendon swelling. Patellar tendonitis occurs just below the kneecap, making movement painful and challenging.
• Ankles: Swelling of the Achilles tendon can be very painful, as it connects the calf muscles to the heel bone, making walking, standing, and even certain sitting positions uncomfortable.
• Feet: Tendon swelling on the top of the foot often affects those who spend long hours walking, running, or standing, making these activities quite difficult.

These are the joints and structures that get used most often in our day-to-day activities and hobbies.