Many athletes are aware of tendonitis, a common type of sports injury. However, tendonitis can affect anyone and isn’t always caused by sports or exercise.
There are many causes and symptoms of tendonitis, and several treatment options are available. Some research even shows that certain supplements for tendonitis may help treat the condition.
This article will cover tendonitis, including what it is, its causes and symptoms, whether supplements help, and natural remedies.
What is tendonitis?
Tendons attach muscles to bones and help bones move. They are made of fibrous connective tissues and typically surround joints.
Tendonitis (also spelled tendinitis) is a painful condition characterized by inflammation of a tendon. It often occurs in the shoulder, bicep, elbow, hand, wrist, thumb, calf, knee, or ankle.
Athletes and people over the age of 40 are most likely to get tendonitis, but anyone can get it.1
In most cases, tendonitis is not a serious condition and can be treated with at-home care over the course of a few weeks. However, chronic tendonitis may lead to tears in the tendon that require surgery.
Tendonitis vs. tendinosis
Tendinosis is a condition that is similar to tendonitis, but with some important distinctions.
With tendinosis, the collagen found in tendons degenerates. Typically, tendinosis is the result of repetitive strain and overuse of a tendon2
While tendonitis can lead to tendinosis, the condition often occurs on its own. In fact, tendinosis can often happen before tendonitis.3
Inflammation is a common symptom of tendonitis. However, inflammation is not present in tendinosis, and many treatments often used to treat inflammation may actually make the condition worse.2
Treatment for tendinosis tends to take longer than it does for tendonitis. However, both conditions can often be treated with at-home measures, like rest, ice, and compression.
What causes tendonitis?
Tendonitis is often caused by an injury or overuse in sports or exercise. Overuse typically affects bones, muscles, ligaments, and tendons.3
However, there are many other possible causes of tendonitis, including:
- Repetitive movements
- Bad posture
- Infection
- Bone or joint deformities
- Certain types of arthritis (rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis)
- Gout
- Metabolic conditions, including diabetes
- Side effects from certain medications (rare)1
You may be more likely to develop tendonitis if you play sports, exercise, have a job that requires repetitive movements (including clicking a mouse), or are older than 40.
Symptoms of tendonitis
Typical tendonitis symptoms are uncomfortable and may be the first sign of a problem.
Inflammation and pain are tell-tale symptoms of tendonitis. These symptoms occur in the affected area and may be felt in the joints, tendons, and muscles.
Tendonitis pain may get worse with movement (which is why rest is so critical to healing). If you have tendonitis, you may also experience:
- Difficulty moving the joint
- A grating or crackling feeling when you move the tendon
- Swelling that may be accompanied by heat or redness4
Rest is often the first-line treatment for tendonitis. Along with rest, additional treatments are available for tendonitis, including dietary supplements.
Can supplements help with tendonitis?
Dietary supplements contain vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients or substances that are thought to be beneficial to human health.
Some research points to certain supplements that may help with tendonitis.
According to one systematic review, dietary supplements may support tendon healing and help with inflammation.5
Another review concluded that, along with exercise and a well-balanced diet, the use of dietary supplements, especially those that contain collagen, may reduce the risk of tendonitis and other tendon injuries.6
Various supplements for tendonitis have some scientific support, including:
- Glucosamine and chondroitin sulphate
- Vitamin C
- Hydrolyzed collagen
- L-arginine alpha-keto-glutarate
- Curcumin
- Boswellic acid
- Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM)
- Bromelain5
Before deciding to use these or other tendonitis supplements, it’s important to look to the research.
Try these supplements for tendonitis inflammation
A number of nutrients and substances have been studied for their potential roles in the prevention and management of tendonitis.
While there is some compelling research that seems to support the use of certain dietary supplements for tendonitis, it’s important to remember that supplements alone probably won’t heal tendonitis. As with any health condition, supplements should be used as a part of a complementary treatment plan.
Below is a look at the research behind some of the best supplements for tendonitis.
1 – Glucosamine and chondroitin sulphate
Glucosamine and chondroitin sulphate are two separate substances found in cartilage and joints that are often used together to treat arthritis and other conditions, including tendonitis.7
One animal study found that, compared to a control, a combination of glucosamine and chondroitin sulphate enhanced tendon-to-bone healing. The substances also appeared to increase cartilage formation.8
Although human trials haven’t looked at glucosamine and chondroitin sulphate for tendonitis specifically, there is evidence that the substances may help reduce inflammation and pain in osteoarthritis.7
2 – Vitamin C
You may know vitamin C as a powerful antioxidant, but this water-soluble vitamin has many other important jobs, including collagen production. Both roles may make vitamin C a candidate for tendonitis treatment.9
Because collagen makes up almost 75% of tendon dry weight, increased collagen synthesis is thought to make tendons stronger and possibly prevent injuries.10
A scoping review found compelling evidence that vitamin C may indeed help with tendon recovery. Per the review, vitamin C supplementation increases collagen production, especially when injected directly into the affected area, and aids in tendon healing.9
3 – Hydrolyzed collagen
Collagen supplements may also be useful for tendonitis.
Hydrolyzed collagen supplements have already been partially broken down into small peptides, enhancing digestion and utilization.11
Hydrolyzed collagen supplements have been found to reduce the time it takes for athletes with tendonitis to get back to their sport. In one study, runners who used hydrolyzed collagen alongside a recovery exercise program were able to get back to running soon after treatment.12
When combined with resistance training, hydrolyzed collagen supplementation may also increase tendon and muscle strength. Researchers believe that increased tendon strength may reduce the risk of tendon injuries, including tendonitis.13
4 – L-arginine alpha-ketoglutarate
Like glucosamine and chondroitin sulphate, L-arginine and alpha-ketoglutarate are two different substances that may be used together to treat tendonitis.
L-arginine is an essential amino acid available in various foods. Alpha-ketoglutarate, on the other hand, is a substance that plays a key role in the Krebs cycle and cellular metabolism.14
When used together, these substances are thought to increase blood flow and collagen synthesis, aiding in tendon repair.4
5 – Curcumin
Curcumin (Curcuma longa) is a bioactive substance found in the spice turmeric. It is a known antioxidant but may have additional properties that are useful for tendon injuries.
A review on curcumin found that it not only reduces inflammation but also slows down tendon degradation by inhibiting pro-inflammatory cytokines. These processes are also thought to help with collagen synthesis.15
The review goes on to list additional possible benefits of curcumin for tendonitis, including reduced pain perception and tendon regeneration. Curcumin is also thought to be a generally safe supplement that is well-tolerated by most people.
6 – Boswellic acid
A member of the Boswellia species, boswellic acid is a phytochemical with many potential health benefits. Bowellic acid, which is commonly used in Ayurvedic medicine and other types of alternative medicine, may relieve pain and inflammation linked to tendonitis.
Various studies on boswellic acid for tendonitis have reported pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory effects of the phytochemical. In certain studies, boswellic acid has been combined with curcumin and shown to also reduce pain and improve tendon functionality.16
7 – Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM)
Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) is a bioactive compound found in some foods but most often used in dietary supplement form. It is most commonly used to treat pain and inflammation.17
As an antioxidant, it has been suggested that MSM may improve wound healing and pain relief in tendonitis patients. In lab studies, MSM has also been found to reduce oxidative stress, which may make tendonitis worse.15
8 – Bromelain
Found in pineapples, bromelain is characterized as a group of enzymes that may reduce injury-related pain and swelling.
An older study done on rats found that bromelain supplementation increased the number of tendon cells at the site of tendon injury.18
Additional animal studies found similar results, citing increased antioxidant activity and tenoblasts (new tendon cells) proliferation.15
Other natural remedies for tendonitis
If you’re not ready to use medications or don’t need surgery, you may be able to treat tendonitis with some natural remedies.
Aside from supplements for tendonitis, a healthcare provider may also recommend:
- Rest
- Ice
- Heat
- Compression
- Elevation
- Physical or occupational therapy
- Splints or braces1
Rest may be the most crucial part of tendonitis recovery, especially since many tendon injuries are due to overuse. Rest is thought to ease pain and reduce inflammation.
While trying to recover from tendonitis, it’s also important to avoid the activity that got you injured in the first place. Hopefully, and with the right measures, you’ll be back to normal activities in no time.
When to see a doctor for tendonitis inflammation
Although tendonitis can often be healed with basic treatments, sometimes help from a doctor is warranted.
Some people recommend seeing a doctor or other qualified healthcare provider any time you get tendonitis. However, a visit to the doctor may not always be necessary. Regardless, the decision is up to you.
If tendonitis doesn’t go away with at-home care after a few weeks, it may be time to schedule a visit with your doctor. Tendonitis that isn’t improving may signal another problem, like tendinosis, or severe tendonitis.
You should schedule a doctor’s appointment immediately if you notice any signs of infection, including fever, swelling, and redness. Infected areas of tendonitis may also cause extreme pain.19
About Brittany Lubeck
Brittany Lubeck is a registered dietitian and nutrition writer. She has a Bachelor of Science in Dietetics, a Master of Science in Clinical Nutrition, and began her career as a clinical dietitian. Brittany has always enjoyed research and loves that she can help people learn more about nutrition through her writing.
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17. Oliva, F., M. Gallorini, et al. “Conjugation with Methylsulfonylmethane Improves Hyaluronic Acid Anti-Inflammatory Activity in a Hydrogen Peroxide-Exposed Tenocyte Culture In Vitro Model.” International Journal of Molecular Sciences 21, no. 21 (2020): 7956.
18. Aiyegbusi, A.I., F.I.O. Duru, et al. “Bromelain in the early phase of healing in acute crush Achilles tendon injury.” Phytotherapy Research 1, no. 25 (2011): 49-52.
19. “Tenosynovitis.” MedlinePlus. Medlineplus.gov.
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