Pediatric tendinopathy (tendinitis)

What is tendinitis (tendinopathy) in children?

People use the term “tendinitis” to refer to all kinds of injury to a tendon (the tissue that connects muscles to bones and other parts of the body). The proper term is actually “tendinopathy,” and tendinitis is one common form of tendinopathy.

What are the types of tendinitis (tendinopathy) in children?

There are three types of tendinopathy:

1. Tendinitis is when a tendon is strained or inflamed, which often means it hurts to move or use that part of the body.

2. Tendinosis is when a tendon gradually breaks down and weakens over time. Generally, this affects adults, but may also happen to older children.

3. Paratenonitis is when the sheath or covering that surrounds the tendon (called the paratenon) gets damaged from repeatedly rubbing against the tendon it surrounds or against a nearby bone.

What are the signs and symptoms of tendinitis (tendinopathy) in children?

• Pain or weakness when using the muscle with the damaged tendon

• Swelling

• A creaky or squeaky feeling in that part of the body (paratenonitis only)

How is tendinitis (tendinopathy) in children diagnosed?

We diagnose most tendinopathies by talking with children about their symptoms and activity and doing a simple physical exam, to see what movements or actions they have trouble with.

If the child is older and we think they might have tendinosis, we will often do an MRI or ultrasound to see how much the tendon has worn down and what is the best kind of treatment.

What causes tendinitis (tendinopathy) in children?

Most forms of tendinopathy come from repetitive or strenuous movement that causes the tendon to swell or tear. We often see athletes who develop tendinopathy from activities like swinging bats or tennis rackets or repeatedly jumping during practice.

How is tendinitis (tendinopathy) in children treated?

Most children will fully recover from a tendinopathy within a few weeks by resting and icing their injured tendon. Depending on the type of injury, we may recommend wearing a compression sleeve or brace or taking medicine to reduce swelling.

Prevention

To help your child continue their favorite activities without getting hurt again, we’ll teach your child exercises and stretches that build strong and limber muscles all around the tendon that was injured. We will also train them in techniques for running, swimming and other athletics that will help keep them from re-injuring the tendon.