Tricep tendonitis is a form of tendonitis which occurs due to the inflammation in the tricep tendons. The tricep muscle is the muscle between the back of the upper arm and the elbow bone. The tendons responsible for connecting these muscles to their respective bones are known as tricep tendons. These are strong and flexible muscles but can get inflamed, referred to as tricep tendonitis.

Tricep tendonitis can be a result of repeated use and age. Repeated strain on the tendons can lead to micro-tears in the tendon tissue. These tears usually heal themselves with times, but sometimes the rate of tearing might be faster than the body’s ability to repair them. As these micro-tears increase, it can lead to inflammation, leading to pain and further tearing of the tendon tissue. Activities that cause extra strain on your elbows, such as cricket, bench press, and gymnastics, can cause a lot of tearing in the tendons. If you’re not careful with observing and maintaining your body, these can lead to tricep tendonitis. Patients with diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis are at a higher risk of developing tricep tendonitis as well.

The symptoms observed in tricep tendonitis are very similar to those observed in other forms of tendonitis. Patients experience pain in the arms, shoulders, and elbow as a result of the inflamed tendons. Patients may also experience snapping sounds in their shoulder and elbow while moving. Tricep tendonitis can also lead to swelling in the back of the elbow. If your symptoms do not improve after careful movement and massaging of the area over a couple of days or feel that your symptoms are getting progressively worse and hindering your ability to perform daily activities, please consult a doctor. The earlier the condition is diagnosed, the less pain and discomfort a patient needs to undergo. Rapid treatment also prevents further worsening of the situation.

Diagnosis of the disease involves physical examination and review of a patient’s medical history. The doctor may ask a few preliminary questions about the problem, such as when it started and how intense it is. The doctor will look for signs of swelling and inflammation in the elbow and may request further tests in the form of imaging scans. Imaging scans give a lot of insight into the problem, such as calcium deposits near the tendons and tears in the tendons.

Treatment of tricep tendonitis mainly involves two things: prevention and cure. Treatment will prevent further worsening of the situation by avoiding physical strain applied to the tendons. This may be accompanied by careful physical therapy to help regain full movement and reduce pain. Patients may also gently massage the region using their hands or by applying heating pads. Patients may also be prescribed pain medication to help with the problem. In more severe cases, steroid injections may be recommended. These steroids can help rapidly reduce inflammation and help with recovery. If these forms of treatment are ineffective, treatment may be necessary. These cases are comparatively rare, as most patients can make a full recovery with little need for professional medical intervention.