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Warning-sign checks

Tendinitis: when to get help

Go through these in order and stop at the first one that applies. If you are reading this for someone else, answer for them.

  1. 1

    Is any of this happening now?

    Call 911

    Go to emergency care after a major injury if the limb looks deformed, the pain is severe, or the hand or foot becomes pale, cold or numb.

    Call emergency services for chest pain or difficulty breathing, including when these occur with new one-sided calf swelling.

    Other emergency signs, for anyone
    • Someone who is struggling to breathe, gasping, choking, or cannot get words out
    • Someone who has chest pain, tightness or pressure lasting more than a few minutes
    • Someone who has sudden weakness or drooping on one side of the face or body, slurred speech, or sudden confusion
    • Someone who is unconscious, or cannot be woken
    • Someone who is bleeding heavily and it will not stop with firm pressure
    • Someone who has had a seizure that will not stop, or does not wake up afterwards
    • Someone who has lips or skin that look pale, blue, grey or blotchy
    • Someone who you believe has taken an overdose or swallowed something poisonous
  2. 2

    Is any of this happening?

    Be seen today

    Seek urgent medical assessment if you hear or feel a sudden pop and then cannot use the limb normally.

    Sudden bruising, a visible gap in a tendon, loss of push-off when walking or inability to raise an arm may indicate a tear.

    Urgent assessment is also appropriate for rapidly increasing redness, warmth and swelling, especially with fever or feeling unwell.

    Infection around a tendon is uncommon, but it needs prompt treatment.

  3. 3

    Does any of this apply?

    Book an appointment

    Arrange a routine appointment if the pain:

    • Is not improving after a period of activity changes and self-care
    • Keeps returning when you resume normal activity
    • Is affecting sleep, work, walking or daily tasks
    • Is associated with ongoing weakness or restricted movement
    • Began after starting a new medicine

Every sign above is quoted from the sofidex article on Tendinitis. If you are not sure, err upward — it is always reasonable to be checked.