Tendonitis Diagnosis

The diagnosis¹² of tendonitis usually starts with a physical exam. Your healthcare provider may ask you to move the affected joint and probe the area gently, noting any signs of tenderness, swelling, or other indicators of tendonitis. Your provider will also likely assess your signs and symptoms by asking questions about when your pain started, how severe it is, and what seems to make it better or worse.

If your healthcare provider suspects that another condition may be causing your signs or symptoms, they may order imaging tests of the affected joint. These tests are usually X-rays or MRIs, though other forms of imaging may be appropriate, depending on the affected joint and suspected cause. Imaging tests are often used to rule out bone breaks, stress fractures, ruptures, and other conditions that could be causing your pain.

Imaging can also be used to determine the extent of your tendonitis and to determine whether it has progressed into tendinosis. The images produced can indicate whether any evidence of tendon thickening or unusual blood vessel patterns are present, both of which may indicate that the condition has progressed beyond tendonitis.

Your healthcare provider, sometimes along with a specialist, will use all of the evidence available to ensure an accurate diagnosis of tendonitis.