What Causes Tendonitis?

Several factors can increase your child’s risk of developing tendonitis. Age can play a role since growth spurts can make a child more likely to be injured. High-intensity physical activity and competitive sports also increase the risk of tendonitis.

Tendonitis in children is usually due to repetitive stress on the tendons from activities such as:

• Sports (for example, running, jumping, gymnastics, tennis, basketball, swimming)
• Playing musical instruments
• Physical activities involving frequent use of specific muscle groups
• Trauma or sudden injuries
• Improper technique or sudden increases in training intensity

What Are the Types of Tendonitis?

Different types of tendonitis are often named for the activity that causes it or where it occurs in the body:

• Osgood-Schlatter disease affects the knee and is common in children who are active in sports.
• Patellar tendonitis (jumper’s knee) affects the tendon connecting the kneecap to the shinbone.
• Achilles tendonitis affects the tendon connecting the calf muscles to the heel bone.
• Lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow) affects the tendons on the outside of the elbow.

How Do I Know if My Child Has Tendonitis?

Common symptoms of tendonitis are:

• Pain or soreness over a muscle tendon during or after activity, usually described as aching
• Swelling over a tendon
• Limited range of motion or difficulty performing certain movements
• Stiffness

How is Tendonitis Diagnosed?

A doctor will take your child’s health history and do a physical exam. They may also order imaging like ultrasound or MRI.

Diagnosing tendonitis in children can be hard because they are growing, and their growth plates are still open. Growth plates are developing tissue at the ends of long bones. They are softer and more vulnerable to injury than mature bone. Injuries to these areas can sometimes be mistaken for tendonitis. Your child’s doctor will assess their symptoms to determine if their pain is from tendonitis or another issue.

Dangers of Developing Tendinosis

If tendonitis is not properly managed, it can become tendinosis. Tendinosis is a more serious, chronic condition that happens due to overuse and not enough time for the tendon to heal. Scar tissue can then develop, causing chronic pain and reduced function. This condition can take much longer to heal. Treatment can take several months.

By taking proactive steps, parents and caregivers can help protect their children’s tendon health so they can stay active and healthy.

How is Tendonitis Treated?

Tendonitis treatment starts with resting the area that hurts. Your child should stop any activity that causes pain. Physical therapy or home exercises may be recommended to help correct improper body movement. Ice and anti-inflammatory medication can help relieve pain and swelling while your child rests. In severe cases, if not treated, tendonitis can lead to tendon rupture, which may need surgery.

Treating Tendonitis at Home

The RICE method is a simple, effective, noninvasive treatment for many common injuries, including tendonitis. RICE stands for:

• Rest: Give the affected area a break.
• Ice: Apply cold packs to reduce pain and swelling.
• Compression: Use an elastic bandage to minimize swelling.
• Elevation: Keep the affected area raised when possible.

See your doctor if your child’s pain lasts or gets worse, the swelling doesn’t go away, or your child has trouble with daily activities or participating in sports.

How Long Does it Take to Recover from Tendonitis?

Mild tendonitis can improve within one to two weeks. Severe or long-standing cases may take four to six weeks or longer. With proper care, most children recover well from tendonitis and can safely return to their favorite activities.

How can Tendonitis be Prevented?

While tendonitis is a common injury, you can help your child avoid it by:

• Encouraging a variety of activities to prevent overuse of specific tendons
• Ensuring they warm up and cool down properly
• Making sure your child uses proper equipment for their sport or activity
• Promoting balanced nutrition and staying hydrated
• Listening to your child if they complain of pain or discomfort

Rest is important to give the body time to recover between games and practices. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends:

• One or two days off per week from competitive sports and training
• Three months off per year from a specific sport
• Only one team sport per season