tendinitis

noun

ten·​di·​ni·​tis ˌten-də-ˈnī-təs 

variants or tendonitis

: inflammation of a tendon typically associated with acute injury and usually accompanied by pain and swelling

Tendinitis in his right shoulder forced him to the sideline only a few plays into the game.

—Herm Weiskopf

Did you know?

Tendinitis is often seen in active, healthy people who do something that requires repeated motion, including golfers and tennis players (especially those with improper form), carpenters, and violinists. It's usually treated by keeping the joint from moving, by means of a splint, cast, or bandage. If not dealt with in time, tendinitis can turn into the more serious tendinosis, or tendon degeneration.

Example Sentences

She was diagnosed with tendinitis of the elbow.

I have tendinitis in my knee.

Recent Examples on the Web

Huntley, who is 2-2 in the four starts he's made in Jackson's absence, has been dealing with tendinitis in his right shoulder and a wrist injury. —Dave Clark, The Enquirer, 16 Jan. 2023

But Huntley is questionable with shoulder tendinitis, setting up undrafted rookie Anthony Brown Jr. as the potential starter in Cincinnati. —Chris Bumbaca, USA TODAY, 8 Jan. 2023

In three matches in Toronto and Cincinnati knee tendinitis kept her from moving well. —Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 2 Sep. 2022

For example, someone might get tendinitis of the knee because their calf muscles are so tight. —Cari Shane, Discover Magazine, 19 Mar. 2022

Desmond Cambridge, who sat out Thursday's game with tendinitis in his knee, was back in the starting lineup but managed just two points and three assists. —Michelle Gardner, The Arizona Republic, 13 Nov. 2022

Anti-inflammatory medications and NSAIDs are also often used to reduce inflammation associated with tendinitis. —Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 21 Sep. 2022

Garcia has a significant leg length discrepancy, and Achilles tendinitis has been his particular nemesis. —Amby Burfoot, Outside Online, 10 Jan. 2020

Stafford, 34, is recovering from a spinal cord contusion and has dealt with concussions and tendinitis this season. —Los Angeles Times, 6 Dec. 2022

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Word History

Etymology

New Latin tendin-, tendōn-, taken as stems of Medieval Latin tendō tendon + -itis

First Known Use

1842, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

tendinitis

noun

ten·​di·​ni·​tis

variants or tendonitis

ˌten-də-ˈnīt-əs 

: inflammation of a tendon typically associated with acute injury and usually accompanied by pain and swelling