Tendon Pain Relief: What Actually Works
Most tendon pain, from Achilles tendonitis to tennis elbow, gets better with the right loading exercises, given enough time. Rest alone rarely fixes it, and cortisone often helps short term but can make some tendons worse later. For pain that lasts beyond 3 to 6 months of good rehab, options include shockwave therapy, PRP and, in studies, stem cells.
Tendon pain relief: what works
| Option | Best for | Evidence |
|---|---|---|
| Loading exercises | Almost all tendon pain | Strong, first line |
| Shockwave therapy | Plantar fasciitis, Achilles, calcific shoulder | Moderate |
| Cortisone injection | Short-term relief, frozen shoulder | Short term; can worsen some tendons later |
| PRP | Tennis elbow, plantar fasciitis, some others | Mixed, best for tennis elbow |
| Stem cells | Persistent tendinopathy, rotator cuff repair support | Early studies |
Tendon pain for more than 3 months? Get the free guide and a doctor review of your scan.
Find your problem
- Achilles tendonitis and plantar fasciitis
- Tennis elbow
- Frozen shoulder and rotator cuff tear
- Jumper's knee and outer hip pain
Tendonitis or tendinosis?
Long-lasting tendon pain is usually a problem of tendon structure and load (tendinopathy or tendinosis), not ongoing inflammation. That is why anti-inflammatories and rest often disappoint, and progressive loading works. See tendonitis vs tendinosis.
When surgery is needed
Complete tendon ruptures and some acute tears in younger people often need repair. See when tendon surgery is needed.