Tendinitis is an irritation or inflammation of a tendon and the Bureau of Labor Statistics has determined that in 2001, this disorder caused work to be missed by 1.6 of every 10,000 full-time workers. Although tendinitis can be caused by a sudden traumatic injury, it is more likely due to repetitive motions made during work, sports, or hobbies. The parts of the body affected most often are the shoulders, elbows, wrists, and heels. In many cases, tendinitis responds to treatment with rest, ice, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen. Other conservative treatment options include physical therapy and steroid injections. For patients whose tendinitis does not respond adequately to conservative treatments, surgery may be necessary. These patients often have tendinosis, which may have started with inflammation but is characterized by failed healing of chronic tendon degeneration without inflammation.