Tendonitis is an irritation or inflammation of a tendon and the Bureau of Labor and Statistics has determined that in 2001, this disorder caused work to be missed by 1.6 of every 10,000 full-time workers. Although tendonitis 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, tendonitis 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 tendonitis 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.