Triceps Tendonitis
Triceps tendonitis is an overuse injury involving the tendon that connects the triceps muscle at the back of the upper arm to the elbow. Repetitive loading can irritate the tendon and cause pain, tenderness, swelling and weakness during pushing or straightening movements of the arm.
What Is the Triceps Tendon?
The triceps muscle runs along the back of the upper arm and is responsible for extending, or straightening, the elbow. Its tendon attaches the muscle to the olecranon at the back of the elbow and transfers muscular force to the forearm during pushing and lifting movements.
How Overuse Leads to Pain
Repeated loading can produce microscopic stress within the tendon. When the amount of stress repeatedly exceeds the tissue's ability to recover, the tendon can become painful and less able to tolerate activities such as pressing, throwing or supporting body weight through the arms.
How Triceps Tendonitis May Feel
Symptoms are generally concentrated around the back of the elbow where the triceps tendon attaches to bone.
Common Symptoms May Include:
What Can Irritate the Triceps Tendon?
Triceps tendon problems most commonly develop from repetitive or excessive loading, especially when activity increases faster than the tendon can adapt.
Weight Training
Bench presses, dips, push-ups, triceps extensions and other pressing exercises can overload the tendon when volume, resistance or frequency becomes excessive.
Throwing & Sports
Throwing sports, gymnastics and activities requiring repeated elbow extension can place significant stress on the triceps tendon.
Age & Tendon Wear
Tendons can become less resilient with age, making repetitive loading or sudden increases in activity more likely to produce symptoms.
Medical Conditions
Diabetes, inflammatory arthritis and other conditions that affect connective tissue may increase susceptibility to certain tendon problems.
Activities That Can Aggravate Triceps Tendon Pain
Pain is often most noticeable during movements that require the triceps to generate force while extending the elbow.
Bench Press
Heavy pressing can place substantial load on the triceps tendon, especially near the final portion of elbow extension.
Push-Ups & Dips
Supporting body weight while repeatedly bending and straightening the elbow can aggravate an already irritated tendon.
Throwing
Repetitive forceful elbow extension during throwing can stress the tendon, particularly with high training volume.
Overhead Work
Repetitive pushing, lifting or extending the arm during occupational tasks can contribute to persistent symptoms.
How Triceps Tendonitis Is Diagnosed
Diagnosis usually begins with a history and physical examination. Imaging can help evaluate the tendon when symptoms are severe, persistent or suggest a partial tear.
Your provider will review when pain began, recent changes in exercise and which movements aggravate the elbow.
The back of the elbow may be evaluated for tenderness, swelling, range of motion and pain during resisted extension.
Imaging may help identify tendon thickening, degeneration, inflammation or partial and complete tears.
X-rays may help identify bone spurs, calcification or other bony abnormalities around the triceps attachment.
Treating Triceps Tendonitis
Most cases can be treated without surgery by reducing excessive tendon loading and gradually rebuilding strength and tolerance.
Activity Modification
Temporarily reducing painful pressing, throwing or lifting activities can allow the irritated tendon time to recover.
Physical Therapy
Progressive strengthening, mobility exercises and correction of lifting mechanics can help restore tendon capacity and function.
Pain Management
Ice, heat and anti-inflammatory or other pain medications may be recommended when appropriate to help manage discomfort.
Targeted Treatment
Persistent cases may require additional treatment based on the specific diagnosis. Injection therapy near tendons must be considered carefully because some medications can weaken tendon tissue.
Sudden Weakness or a "Pop" at the Elbow Needs Prompt Evaluation.
Triceps tendonitis generally causes gradually increasing pain while the tendon remains intact. A partial or complete triceps tendon rupture may cause sudden pain, bruising, swelling, a palpable gap near the elbow or significant difficulty straightening the arm. These symptoms should be evaluated promptly because a significant tear may require surgical repair.
Does Elbow Pain Make Pushing or Lifting Difficult?
Schedule a consultation to determine whether triceps tendonitis, a tendon injury or another elbow condition may be causing your symptoms and discuss appropriate treatment options.