How Long Does It Take to Heal Tendonitis

Do you have a bad case of tendonitis? Tried everything to get it to heal, but it's still causing you pain. You're not alone. Patients frequently complain about tendonitis continuing to affect their running, walking, and jumping for months after the initial symptoms.

When it's your Achilles tendon involved, it can be seriously debilitating, affecting every aspect of your daily life. Little wonder that so many patients become frustrated.

We're answering the question "how long does it take to heal tendonitis" in this article. We'll explore the underlying causes and what you can do to speed up the process.

Key Takeaways

• Mild tendonitis may heal in a few weeks, while chronic cases can take several months.

• Recovery time depends on location of the tendon, severity of the injury, age, and activity level.

• Rest, ice, physical therapy, and orthotics are common non-surgical treatments.

• A podiatrist can create a personalized recovery plan and help prevent re-injury.

• Ignoring symptoms can lead to tendon degeneration or rupture.

How long does it take to heal tendonitis?

Tendonitis vs tendonosis

Contrary to popular belief, tendonitis isn't a long-term condition. Podiatrists and doctors often refer to so-called "chronic tendonitis," where the symptoms continue for weeks, even months after onset. Yet, what they're really referring to is tendonosis.

Changing the term may seem irrelevant, but it's important for understanding what's going on. Tendonitis implies an active, ongoing inflammatory state (anything ending in -itis means inflammation). Such a condition can resolve itself within six weeks if treated. If the condition doesn't settle, then tendonitis can become chronic, turning into tendonosis. 

Whereas in tendonitis, there is inflammation resulting from micro-tears in the tendon, in tendonosis, the inflammatory process has stopped. Instead, the actual tendon tissue is degrading. The two disease states are intrinsically linked, with one leading to the other.

In a nutshell: if your symptoms persist longer than six weeks, you likely have tendonosis. In such instances, symptoms may continue for weeks to months. 

Estimated time to healing

How long it takes to heal tendonitis (or tendonosis) depends on the body part in question. In the upper body, elbows and wrists can continue to cause aggravation for six months or longer. In the lower limbs, symptoms will likely fade within a few weeks to months (including for Achilles tendonitis).

Why do tendon injuries take so long to heal?

Tendons are thick bands of connective tissue connecting the muscle to the bone. They're immensely strong. When you lift weights, it's the tendons that ensure muscle contractions act on bones to move the weight. That's why they've got the highest tensile strength of all your soft tissues.

However, despite their strength, tendons have a proverbial Achilles heel: an inadequate blood supply.

Insufficient blood supply means that when tendons become injured, they do not receive enough nutrients and oxygen to begin repairs. Rather, they receive nourishment via the synovial fluid, slowing the healing process. 

Tendonitis occurs most often because of repetitive strain. At the microscopic level, by using a tendon repeatedly, tiny tears begin to build. If these tears occur at a rate faster than the tendon can repair them, then inflammation begins to occur. Cells within the tendon have to work harder and harder to repair and generate tendon tissue – soon, the demands of the cells outstrip their blood supply. 

Tendons with the least blood supply – like your Achilles, elbows, shoulders, and wrists – are most prone to tendonitis. However, tendon inflammation can also occur due to blunt force trauma. 

Conditions like diabetes, which affect the blood supply, and old age further impede this healing process. Such individuals are also at greater risk of tendonosis. 

How to speed up the healing process

In the early phases of tendonitis, taking anti-inflammatory medications, like NSAIDs (e.g., ibuprofen, naproxen) and corticosteroids, can tremendously impact the disease progression. Since inflammation is dominant at this stage, these medications can help stop further progression.

Unfortunately, as the condition progresses, anti-inflammatory medications become less and less effective – as the disease state shifts toward tissue deterioration. That's the reason why discomfort persists so stubbornly.

Some studies even suggest NSAIDs can slow healing by interfering with collagen synthesis (the primary constituent of tendons).

You may also think that exercise would be dangerous for tendonosis. After all, they're much weaker, right? Yes and no. Yes, they're weaker, and so you should avoid intense exercises involving the tendon. No, you should not give up exercise entirely.

Eccentric training, whereby you emphasize the lengthening portion of a movement, has a growing evidence base. For example, if you are performing a bicep curl, you will perform the curl as normal, then as you lengthen the muscle, you do so slowly. Not only does this reduce muscle tightening, but it also increases blood flow, aiding repair.

Other potential curative treatments include massage to increase circulation, extracorporeal shockwave therapy, and even ultrasound therapy. Best of all, stopping smoking, gentle exercise, and a healthy diet will all improve blood flow and calm any lingering inflammation.

If you're struggling with long-term tendon pain, contact our expert podiatrists to schedule an appointment.

Frequently Asked Questions About Tendonitis Recovery

• How long does it take for tendonitis to fully heal?

  Mild cases may heal in 2–4 weeks with proper rest and care. More severe or chronic tendonitis can take 6 to 12 weeks or longer, especially if the tendon has been strained repeatedly over time.

• What delays tendonitis recovery?

  Overuse, poor footwear, skipping rest periods, and not following a podiatrist’s care plan can delay healing. Continuing high-impact activity before recovery is complete often worsens inflammation.

• Can tendonitis heal on its own?

  Sometimes, but not always. Mild tendonitis may resolve with rest and ice, but without proper diagnosis or treatment, the tendon can become chronically inflamed or even tear.

• How can a podiatrist help treat tendonitis?

  A podiatrist can assess your injury and recommend treatments like custom orthotics, physical therapy, bracing, or anti-inflammatory medications. For persistent cases, advanced options like shockwave therapy may be discussed.

• Is it OK to walk with tendonitis in the foot or ankle?

  It depends on severity. In early stages, light walking may be okay, but if pain worsens, rest is recommended. A podiatrist may suggest offloading techniques like supportive shoes or temporary immobilization.

• What does healing feel like?

  As tendonitis heals, pain and stiffness gradually decrease. You may regain range of motion and strength with less swelling. However, flare-ups can still happen if the tendon is aggravated too soon.

• Can tendonitis come back after it heals?

  Yes—especially if the cause (e.g., poor biomechanics, overuse, or inadequate shoes) isn’t addressed. Preventive care is key to avoiding re-injury.

• When should I see a podiatrist for tendonitis?

  If your pain lasts more than a week, interferes with daily activities, or doesn’t improve with rest, it’s time to see a podiatrist. Early treatment can prevent complications and speed recovery.