Flexor tendinitis
Flexor tendonitis can cause pain on the inside of your elbow, making it uncomfortable to carry out day-to-day activities such as gripping or lifting objects.
What is flexor tendinitis?
Flexor tendinitis is inflammation or irritation of the flexor tendons, which help bend your flexor tendinitis is inflammation or irritation of the flexor tendons, which run from the muscles in your forearm, across the inside of the elbow and into your hand. These tendons help bend your fingers and wrist, allowing you to carry out everyday activities such as gripping and lifting. The condition usually develops because of repeated strain on the tendons, particularly during activities that involve frequent gripping, throwing or forceful wrist movements. It can also occur alongside conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis. Although flexor tendinitis can affect anyone, it is more common in people who participate in throwing sports, perform manual work or regularly carry out repetitive activities involving the hands and forearms. If your symptoms continue despite rest, it's important to have them assessed by a specialist, ensuring you receive the most appropriate treatment.
What are the symptoms?
Symptoms often develop gradually and may become worse with activity. Common symptoms include:
- Pain on the inside of the elbow
- Tenderness over the affected tendon
- Swelling around the inside of the elbow
- Pain when gripping, lifting or throwing
- Discomfort when bending the wrist or fingers against resistance
- Reduced grip strength
- Pain that may continue even when resting if the inflammation becomes more severe
How is it diagnosed?
Your consultant will begin by discussing your symptoms, medical history and any activities that may have contributed to the problem. They'll then examine your elbow, wrist and hand to identify which tendon is affected and assess your strength and movement.
To confirm the diagnosis and rule out other conditions, we may recommend:
- A detailed medical history
- Physical examination
- Assessment of finger, wrist and grip strength
- Examination of tendon function and elbow movement
- X-rays if there is concern about bone abnormalities or arthritis
- MRI or ultrasound scans if further assessment of the tendons or surrounding soft tissues is required
How is it treated?
Your treatment will depend on the severity of your symptoms, how long you've had them and your individual goals. In many cases, flexor tendinitis improves without surgery.
Treatment options may include:
- Temporarily reducing activities that aggravate your symptoms
- Ice therapy to help reduce pain and swelling
- Anti-inflammatory medication where appropriate and recommended by your doctor
- Physiotherapy to improve strength, flexibility and tendon function
- Advice on modifying activities and improving movement patterns
- Corticosteroid injections in selected cases where symptoms persist despite other treatments
- Surgery if the tendon has ruptured or symptoms continue despite comprehensive non-surgical treatment
Treatment routes for flexor tendinitis
Most people recover successfully without surgery.
Non-surgical treatment is usually recommended for inflamed tendons that have not ruptured. This typically involves modifying activities that trigger symptoms, physiotherapy and, where appropriate, medication to help manage pain and inflammation. Your rehabilitation programme will gradually restore strength, improve tendon function and help you return to your usual activities with confidence.
Recovery goals after flexor tendinitis
The first stage of recovery focuses on:
Reducing pain and inflammation Protecting the affected tendon Maintaining gentle movement where appropriate Preventing stiffness
As healing progresses, rehabilitation aims to:
Restore normal movement Gradually improve grip strength Rebuild flexibility and tendon function Return to everyday activities comfortably
The final stage of rehabilitation focuses on:
Returning safely to work, sport or recreation Improving strength and endurance for repetitive activities Restoring confidence in your arm and hand Reducing the risk of symptoms returning
Working with elbow professionals and teams
Our elbow specialists support professional athletes, sports teams, active individuals and people whose work places high demands on their elbows. Working closely with radiologists, physiotherapists and the wider multidisciplinary team, they provide coordinated care from diagnosis through to rehabilitation, helping each person return safely to sport, work or everyday activities.
The same specialist expertise and collaborative approach are available to every patient, whatever your activity level or recovery goals.
Our Experts - Leaders in Elbow treatment
How to pay
We offer flexible options depending on how you choose to access care at Fortius. Whichever option you choose, we’ll help make the process clear and straightforward from the start.
Private medical insurance
If your care is covered by private medical insurance, we’ll usually invoice your insurer directly. Please check your policy in advance and request an authorisation code if your insurer requires one. You’ll be responsible for paying any policy excess or costs that aren’t covered by your insurance.
Paying for yourself
You don’t need private medical insurance to access care at Fortius. If you’re paying for your own treatment, our team will explain the costs clearly and provide a personalised quote before you decide whether to go ahead.
Flexor tendinitis FAQs
Recovery varies depending on the severity of the inflammation and how quickly treatment begins. Many people notice improvement within a few weeks, although symptoms can take several months to settle completely. Following your rehabilitation programme and avoiding activities that aggravate the tendon can help support recovery.
Not usually. Most cases improve with rest, physiotherapy and activity modification. Surgery is generally only considered if the tendon has ruptured or your symptoms continue despite appropriate non-surgical treatment.
It depends on your symptoms. Activities that repeatedly strain the affected tendon, such as throwing or heavy gripping, may need to be reduced temporarily. Your consultant or physiotherapist can advise which activities are safe and how to stay active while your tendon heals.
Gradually increasing activity levels, strengthening the muscles of the forearm, improving flexibility and avoiding sudden increases in repetitive gripping or throwing activities can all help reduce the risk of recurrence. Your physiotherapist can provide a personalised exercise programme to support long-term tendon health.
Find a clinic near you
Fortius Clinic City
Our City Clinic is conveniently located between Bank and Monument stations, within the historic and financial heart of London. At our modern, two-floor facility we have nine consulting rooms, spacious waiting areas, well equipped treatment rooms and an imaging centre.
Explore our City Clinic with our virtual tour.
If you are travelling by Tube, our closest underground stations are Bank and Monument, exit 6 for King William Street.
Should you be travelling by car, the closest parking is a three minute drive away at NCP Car Park London Vintry Thames Exchange. If you are attending clinic on a weekday, please be aware that we are based in the congestion charge zone.
- 75 King William StreetEC4N 7BE
- 0203 195 2442
- Monday to Friday from 8.00am to 8.00pm.
- Snow Injuries Clinic
- Tendon
- Sports & Exercise Medicine
- Ultrasound
- X-Ray
- Physician services
- Rheumatology
- MRI Scan
Fortius Clinic Marylebone Wing
Our 79,000 sq ft, seven-story, private hospital on Wigmore Street has 39 en-suite inpatient rooms, consultation and treatment rooms, and a physiotherapy suite.
The hospital has a high-spec imaging suite fully equipped with an MRI, CT scanner and X-ray machine. There are three state-of-the-art operating theatres, two anaesthetic rooms and a recovery bay.
Fortius Clinic London has two Mako robots for hip and knee joint replacements.
- 66 Wigmore StreetW1U 2SB
- +442031952442
- Open 24 hours
- Sports & Exercise Medicine
- Snow Injuries Clinic
- Tendon
- Ultrasound
- X-Ray
- Physician services
- Rheumatology
- CT guided injection
- MRI Scan
- CT Scan
Fortius Clinic Marylebone
Our Marylebone Clinic is conveniently located in the historic area between Baker Street and Marylebone High Street, just off Manchester Square, home to the iconic Wallace Collection. We have seven consulting rooms, private waiting areas on each floor, well equipped treatment rooms and diagnostic imaging.
- 17 Fitzhardinge StreetW1U 2EU
- 020 3195 2442
- MRI Scan
- Ultrasound
- X-Ray
- Physician services
- Rheumatology
Fortius Clinic Wimbledon
Our Wimbledon clinic houses a state-of-the-art imaging centre with a 3T MRI and X-ray scanners, Ultrasound, seven consulting rooms, two spacious waiting areas and well equipped treatment rooms all located on one level, ensuring easy accessibility for all patients.
Our partnership with Spire St Anthony’s Hospital allows us to provide orthopaedic surgery closer to our clinic. We treat a full range of conditions and perform joint replacement surgery using the latest Mako robotic assisted technology.
Take a tour of our clinic virtually through Google 360 views here.
We are open Monday to Friday from 8.00am to 8.00pm, and Saturday mornings from 8.30am to 12.30pm.
If you are travelling by Tube, our closest underground station is Wimbledon (District Line), which also has rail and tramlink services from central London and beyond.
There is no parking available at the clinic, but we have a number of parking facilities all within a 10-12 minute walk of the clinic: Centre Court Car Park, Broadway Car Park, and Hartfield Road Car Park. Please note that all of these facilities are paid car parks.
The building at 22 Worple Road has steps leading up to the front entrance. If you require assistance please inform us before your arrival by calling ahead on 020 3195 2442
- 22 Worple RoadSW19 4DD
- 0203 195 2442
- Snow Injuries Clinic
- Ultrasound
- X-Ray
- MRI Scan
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