Medically reviewed by Dr James Bristol, MD, PhD · Updated 2026-11-14
Tendonitis means inflammation; tendinosis (tendinopathy) means structural change in the tendon from overload. Most long-lasting tendon pain is tendinopathy. That is why rest and anti-inflammatories often disappoint, while progressive loading helps.
| Tendonitis | Tendinopathy / tendinosis | |
|---|---|---|
| Timing | New, acute | Weeks to years |
| Main problem | Inflammation | Disorganised collagen, overload |
| Best treatment | Short rest, ice | Progressive loading |