Tendonitis is an unusual swelling or inflammation caused by injuries to the tendon (fibrous cord attaching muscles to the bone). Tendonitis can occur in any tendon in your body; however, it is common in joints at the shoulder, kneels, wrist, and elbow.

What Causes Tendonitis in the Elbow?

The main culprit behind elbow tendonitis is repetitive movement or overuse of the joint. Everyday activities that involve frequent gripping, lifting, or twisting can strain the tendons over time. Some common causes include:

Repetitive movements, especially in sports or at work
Heavy lifting or carrying objects with a bent elbow
Squeezing and twisting motions (think opening jars or wringing out towels)
Prolonged computer use or typing
Gardening and yard work
Painting or using hand tools
Playing sports like tennis or golf

These actions put extra stress on the elbow tendons, making them more susceptible to tiny tears and inflammation, which, over time, can develop into tendonitis.

This condition causes mild or severe pain, stiffness, and tenderness outside the affected joint. Treatment options to be considered are dependent on the severity of the injury and the location of the affected region. Some of the common types of tendonitis are tennis elbow, golfer’s elbow, jumper’s knee, and swimmer’s shoulder.

Tendonitis in the elbow most often involves either the common extensor tendon (leading to what’s called tennis elbow) or the common flexor tendon (golfer’s elbow). Tennis elbow typically causes pain on the outside of the elbow, while golfer’s elbow affects the inside. Despite their names, you don’t have to play tennis or golf to develop these conditions—any repetitive movement or strain can lead to irritation and inflammation in these tendons.

Tendons themselves are tough, fibrous bands that connect muscle to bone. When these bands become inflamed or develop tiny tears from overuse or injury, you can experience pain, swelling, and a reduction in your range of motion. In the elbow, this inflammation can make even simple daily activities—like lifting a coffee mug or turning a doorknob—uncomfortable.

No matter the type or location, tendonitis is generally caused by repetitive stress, direct injury, or vibration. Recognizing which tendon is affected can help guide treatment and prevention strategies.

Common Activities That Lead to Elbow Tendonitis

Elbow tendonitis doesn’t just show up out of nowhere—it often creeps in thanks to regular activities that put stress on the tendons around your elbow joint. The usual suspects include:

Repetitive motions, like those found in certain sports or jobs
Lifting heavy objects, especially with improper form
Movements involving frequent squeezing, twisting, or gripping
Extended periods of typing or computer use
Hobbies or chores such as gardening or painting
Athletic pursuits like tennis and golf, which each have their own “signature” strains

Whether you’re an avid gardener, a desk jockey spending hours at a keyboard, or a weekend tennis player, these kinds of movements can irritate your elbow’s tendons over time. Recognizing these triggers is a great first step toward managing and preventing future flare-ups.

Which Tendons Are Typically Affected by Elbow Tendonitis?

Elbow tendonitis most often involves a few key tendons in the forearm and upper arm, each connecting critical muscle groups to the elbow joint itself. The usual suspects include:

Common extensor tendon — located on the outside of the elbow, this is the main tendon affected in what’s commonly known as tennis elbow.
Common flexor tendon — found on the inside of the elbow, this tendon is involved when someone develops golfer’s elbow.
Biceps tendon — though less frequently, inflammation or injury here can also contribute to pain in the front of the elbow.

Both tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow are the most common forms, with the extensor and flexor tendons taking center stage when it comes to elbow discomfort caused by tendonitis.

Diagnosing Elbow Tendonitis

Figuring out whether you have elbow tendonitis typically starts with a straightforward visit to your healthcare provider. Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and the activities you’ve been doing—think tennis, gardening, or anything that puts repeated stress on your elbow.

During the physical exam, your physician may gently press around your elbow and ask you to move your arm, wrist, and fingers in different directions. This helps them pinpoint the exact spot where pain or tenderness occurs.

In most cases, these simple checks are all that’s needed, but if the pain is severe or not improving, your doctor might order some imaging tests. These could include:

X-rays (to rule out bone problems)
Ultrasound or MRI (to get a closer look at your tendons and surrounding tissues)

These tools help rule out other causes of elbow pain and confirm the diagnosis of tendonitis, so you’ll know exactly what you’re working with before exploring your treatment options.

Where Does Tennis Elbow Hurt Compared to Golfer’s Elbow?

If you’re wondering about the difference in pain location between tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow, here’s how to tell them apart:

Tennis elbow typically causes discomfort on the outer side of your elbow.
Golfer’s elbow, in contrast, brings pain to the inner side of your elbow.

Both conditions affect the tendons around the elbow, but where you feel the pain can help pinpoint which one you might be dealing with.

Major Tendons in the Elbow

The elbow relies on several key tendons to connect muscle to bone and keep everything moving smoothly. The primary tendons you’ll find at work around the elbow include:

The common extensor tendon, which attaches the muscles that help straighten your wrist and fingers to the outside of the elbow.
The common flexor tendon, connecting muscles that bend your wrist and fingers to the inside of the elbow.
The biceps tendon, anchoring the biceps muscle to the forearm and allowing you to bend your elbow.

Problems with any of these tendons—whether due to overuse, injury, or repetitive motion—can lead to various forms of elbow tendonitis, such as tennis or golfer’s elbow.

How To Treat Elbow Tendon and Tendonitis

Tendonitis is a condition associated with pain, and most patients are always in an endless loop searching for a permanent cure to prevent the constant pain from reoccurring. You can either treat this condition yourself at home using the method discussed below or visit a physician for professional counsel.

Can Shoulder Exercises Help with Elbow Tendon Pain?

While it might seem counterintuitive, including shoulder exercises in your routine can actually play a helpful role if you’re dealing with elbow tendonitis. Here’s why: when elbow pain causes you to avoid using your arm, your shoulder muscles can become stiff or weak from lack of movement. Over time, this lack of activity can lead to new aches or mobility issues in the shoulder—and the last thing anyone wants is one injury turning into two.

So, even though working the shoulder may not directly decrease pain in the elbow itself, keeping your shoulder active helps maintain strength and flexibility in your entire arm. This reduces the risk of developing additional problems that can slow your overall recovery.

Some light stretching or resistance exercises targeting the shoulder (think gentle rotations or arm raises without heavy weights) are enough to keep things moving. Always remember to pay attention to your body and stop any exercise that causes increased discomfort. And as always, if you’re unsure of which exercises are safe, a quick check-in with your doctor or physical therapist is a good idea.

Medication for Tendon and Tendonitis

Your physician may recommend these forms of drugs:

Pain reliever: taking Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen, aspirin, naproxen, and diclofenac can help alleviate pains caused by tendonitis. Some of these medications have side effects when taken orally.

Alternatively, other forms of Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines are made available as creams.

Corticosteroids: injection of corticosteroid medication in affected tendons help to relieve pains and inflammation of the tendon. However, this treatment option is not recommended for chronic tendonitis, as this might increase the risk of rupturing the affected tendon.
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP): This medication involves collecting blood samples from the patient, then spinning the blood to separate the platelet from other components. The solution retrieved is then injected into the affected area.

Physical Therapy for Elbow Tendon and Tendonitis

Physical therapy is another key approach for managing elbow tendonitis, with a range of treatments aimed at reducing pain and restoring function. Your healthcare provider may recommend several therapeutic techniques, including:

Laser Therapy: This method uses focused light energy to target inflamed tissue, promoting healing and reducing discomfort.
Soft Tissue Mobilization (The Graston Technique): By using specialized tools, therapists can gently break up scar tissue and improve mobility in the affected area.
Electrical Stimulation: Gentle electrical currents are applied to help manage pain and facilitate tissue repair.
Ultrasound Therapy: High-frequency sound waves penetrate deep into the tissues, enhancing blood flow and encouraging healing.
Application of Moist Heat Packs: Heat helps to relax stiff muscles and increase circulation around the injured tendon.
Targeted Massage: Specific massage techniques can reduce tension, alleviate pain, and improve flexibility in the elbow.
Therapeutic Exercises: Carefully prescribed stretching and strengthening exercises help restore range of motion and prevent future injury.

A combination of these physical therapy interventions, coupled with patient education on proper movement and joint care, can make a significant difference in recovery from elbow tendonitis.

Rest

You can treat tendonitis by resting the affected area and giving it time to heal.

Most recurring cases of tendonitis result from a lack of patience for proper healing before engaging in rigorous activities. Tendonitis requires a minimum of three weeks to heal partially and encourage the formation of new healthy tissues. However, a minimum of 1 year is essential for a full recovery.

The exact healing time for elbow tendons will depend on the severity of the injury. Some people may notice improvement in as little as a couple of weeks, while others might find it takes anywhere from 6 months up to a year for the tendon to fully heal. Remember, rushing the process often leads to setbacks or chronic issues. In rare cases, surgery may be considered, but most recoveries are managed with rest and gradual rehabilitation. Your doctor may occasionally suggest a corticosteroid shot to help reduce inflammation and jumpstart the healing process, but this is typically reserved for stubborn cases.

Patience and consistent care are crucial for a complete and lasting recovery from tendonitis.

Support with braces

Braces provide support for areas with movable joints such as the wrist, elbow, and shoulder. The braces help restrict movement of the affected area, thereby preventing inflammation of the tendon and aiding quick recovery. Standard braces used for this process include knee, wrist, ankle, elbow, neck, and heel. Braces are recommended with rest as a treatment option when pain or discomfort occurs.

For elbow tendonitis specifically, using a cushioned Velcro elbow strap—commonly known as a Chopat strap—can help lessen stress on the injured tendons. These straps apply gentle pressure near the outside of the elbow, which changes the direction of pull on the affected tendons and reduces strain during movement. By decreasing stress in this way, elbow braces support healing and help manage pain. Pairing bracing with rest allows the tendon to recover fully without repeated aggravation.

Advanced Treatment Options for Elbow Tendonitis

If conservative treatments haven’t provided lasting relief, it’s important to consult your doctor for further guidance. In more persistent or severe cases of elbow tendonitis, a range of clinical interventions may be considered—each tailored to the nature and extent of your symptoms.

Physical Therapy Techniques

Physical therapy is a highly effective option for treating elbow tendonitis, offering a variety of approaches that address pain, improve mobility, and promote healing. Some common methods used by physical therapists include:

Massage and Stretching: These techniques help improve tissue mobility and reduce discomfort.
Laser Therapy: Laser treatment can help reduce pain and inflammation in the affected area.
The Graston Technique: This manual therapy uses specialized instruments to break down scar tissue and relieve tendon pain.
Electrical Stimulation: Used to manage pain and stimulate muscle function.
Ultrasound Therapy: Promotes tissue healing through deep heat and sound waves.
Moist Heat Packs: Helpful for improving blood flow and relaxing sore muscles.
Targeted Exercises: Specific exercises are designed to strengthen the muscles around the elbow and support recovery.
Education: Learning proper movement techniques and ergonomics is vital in both healing and preventing recurrence.

Surgical procedures

If other treatment plans fail to offer a lasting solution, then you should consult your doctor for further treatment plans. In cases of tendonitis are extreme, your physician might suggest any of the surgical procedures discussed below:

Ultrasonic treatment: The ultrasonic technique is a minimally invasive procedure involving ultrasonic sound waves to insert a unique device to remove scar tissues.
Dry needling: this technique involves creating small holes in the tendon to help stimulate healing factors.
Surgery: Surgery is only considered a last resort when other options have failed to manage tendonitis. This technique is suitable for repairing extensive damages to the tendon.

These advanced options are typically reserved for cases that do not respond adequately to more conservative treatments. Your healthcare provider will help determine which approach is best suited to your individual needs and recovery goals.

Summing-up

Preventing tendonitis from occurring is an almost impossible act. However, certain precautions such as resting tired muscles, using supportive equipment, and taking regular breaks from repetitive activities, etc., can help reduce the risk of having tendonitis.

4 Ways to Treat Elbow Tendon and Tendonitis