The suffix -itis is equal to "inflammation of." While tendonitis is a real thing, it is far more likely that the problem going on is actually tendinosis. This is a relatively generic term for tendon dysfunction, and it does not specify what is causing it. Why does this matter? It may seem like semantics but it is an important distinction. I frequently hear of people complaining of tendonitis - sometimes diagnosed by doctors, other times by word of mouth. The truth of their pain and dysfunction is not to be dismissed, but it's important to understand what is really going on in the tissue in order to address it.
Say a doctor, ill-informed, (more likely than you'd think for this sort of thing) diagnoses you with tendonitis, when really what you have is tendinosis. With this diagnosis of an inflammatory condition, he prescribes you anti-inflammatory medication. In the likely event that your tendinosis is due to a breakdown of the collagen (the protein fibers your tendons consist of), these anti-flammatory medications are quite possibly going to inhibit the rebuilding of your collagen and ultimately your healing process. There are so many problems we wrongly dismiss with medications... it's bad enough if it's not what you need, but when it's actually worsening the condition, that's just awful. If you or anyone you know suffers from any tendon dysfunction, let it be known that you should do your research on what may actually be going on!
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