Duration

Acute tendon inflammation usually subsides after a few days if the patient is sufficiently protected. It is important to prevent a relapse by avoiding the triggering activity even after the symptoms have disappeared. Immobilization is often necessary for several weeks. Movement sequences that have led to the inflammation should be optimized in the long term, for example by ergonomically designed computer workstations or, in the case of athletes, by changing the technique. If the tendon inflammation has already become chronic, the pain can persist for weeks to months.

How long does the sick leave last?

A sick leave for tendonitis usually lasts 1-2 weeks, depending on the extent of the inflammation. If the forearm and wrist are sufficiently immobilized, for example with bandages or tapes, a tendon inflammation is completely healed after one week. With bandages, everyday activities can usually be continued directly. However, the forearm should not be strained for 4 weeks to ensure complete healing.

This is how the diagnosis is made

In order to make a diagnosis of tendonitis, the doctor will first ask for the exact symptoms. Here, the exact localization of the pain and the time of occurrence of pain serve as indications for the doctor. Often these descriptions are sufficient to make the suspected diagnosis of tendonitis.

The affected area is then palpated. The doctor pays particular attention to swelling, redness and warming of the skin. The doctor can confirm his suspicion by means of a few special movement tests.

Imaging procedures are only necessary if the diagnosis is still unclear despite previous examination. In these cases, an ultrasound examination can be performed to visualize the tendons and tendon sheaths.Since the inflammation does not affect the bone, an X-ray examination is not useful. In cases where the diagnosis is difficult to make, it may be necessary to perform magnetic resonance imaging, as inflammation can be easily detected on these images. If a rheumatic disease is suspected as the trigger for tendonitis, a blood test can provide information, in which the blood is examined for certain rheumatic parameters.