What is Tendinitis

Tendinitis is swelling (inflammation) of a tendon. A tendon is cord of tissue that connects muscle to bone. Tendinitis can cause pain, tenderness, and swelling. It is usually treated with RICE therapy. RICE stands for:

• Rest.
• Ice.
• Compression. This means putting pressure on the affected area.
• Elevation. This means raising the affected area above the level of your heart.

Follow these instructions at home:

If you have a splint or brace:

• Wear the splint or brace as told by your doctor. Remove it only as told by your doctor.
• Loosen the splint or brace if your fingers or toes tingle, become numb, or turn cold and blue.
• Do not take baths, swim, or use a hot tub until your doctor approves. Ask your doctor if you can take showers. You may only be able to take sponge baths for bathing.
• Do not let your splint or brace get wet if it is not waterproof.
  • If your splint or brace is not waterproof, cover it with a watertight plastic bag when you take a bath or a shower.
• Keep the splint or brace clean.

Managing pain, stiffness, and swelling

• If directed, apply ice to the affected area.
  • Put ice in a plastic bag.
  • Place a towel between your skin and the bag.
  • Leave the ice on for 20 minutes, 2–3 times a day.
• If directed, apply heat to the affected area as often as told by your doctor. Use the heat source that your doctor recommends.
  • Place a towel between your skin and the heat source.
  • Leave the heat on for 20–30 minutes.
  • Take off the heat if your skin turns bright red. This is especially important if you are unable to feel pain, heat, or cold. You may have a greater risk of getting burned.
• Move the fingers or toes of the affected arm or leg often, if this applies. This helps to prevent stiffness and to lessen swelling.
• If directed, raise the affected area above the level of your heart while you are sitting or lying down.

Driving

• Do not drive or use heavy machinery while taking prescription pain medicine.
• Ask your doctor when it is safe to drive if you have a splint or brace on any part of your arm or leg.

Activity

• Return to your normal activities as told by your doctor. Ask your doctor what activities are safe for you.
• Rest the affected area as told by your doctor.
• Avoid using the affected area while you have tendinitis.
• Do exercises (physical therapy) as told by your doctor.

General instructions

• If you have a splint, do not put pressure on any part of the splint until it is fully hardened. This may take several hours.
• Wear an elastic bandage or pressure (compression) wrap only as told by your doctor.
• Take over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your doctor.
• Keep all follow-up visits as told by your doctor. This is important.

Contact a doctor if:

• You do not get better.
• You get new problems, such as numbness in your hands, and you do not know why.