Self-Treatment

• Tendonitis can normally be treated at home. When the tendon is damaged, apply ice as soon as possible to the injured area in order to reduce swelling. Use the ice for about 15 to 20 minutes, several times. Rest the area and elevate it if possible. Reduce the movement of the tendon by wrapping the area with a brace or splint. Do not exercise or repeat the motion that damaged the tendon until the area is healed, which can take several weeks. Exercising or repeating the motion that caused the tendon damage will only reinjure the area. Nonprescription anti-inflammatories and pain relievers such as ibuprofen or aspirin can be used to relieve pain or relax the muscles. Continue to rest the area. After the initial treatment with ice has had a chance to fight swelling, whirlpool or heat treatments can ease the muscle and help heal the area. After several weeks have passed, if the area feels healed, then you can start to use it gently. Be very careful, and if you sense the slightest pain, stop and continue to let it heal.
  
  

Medical Care

• Most tendonitis heals itself with the steps above. However, if the pain is intense and over-the-counter pain killers do not help relieve it, or if you have a fever or the area is red and obviously inflamed, you may have an infection or may have done more damage than just a tendon. In that case, see a physician. The same is true if, after three to four weeks, there is no improvement in your condition. The physician may use other methods to relieve the pain and help healing, such as ultrasound treatments, corticosteroid injections or topical treatments, or antibiotics for an underlying infection. In serious cases in which the tendon was ruptured, a surgeon may need to repair the damage.
  
  

Follow-Up and Prevention

• Once the tendonitis appears to be healed, increase use with gentle stretching and stop immediately if you feel pain. You may choose to consult a physical therapist who can help you work on muscle strength to gradually increase the capability of the area without further damage. If your injury was due to repetitive stress of the muscle, you will have to change the way you work. If exercise, such as tennis or running, created the problem, be sure to warm up and gently stretch the muscles prior to exercising, and if the injury recurs, stop immediately. If damage continues, consider switching to bike riding or swimming laps, which are low-impact, to limit potential tendon damage.