Overview

Triceps tendonitis is a condition where the tendon connecting the triceps muscle to the elbow becomes irritated or inflamed. The triceps muscle, located at the back of your upper arm, helps straighten your elbow. When the tendon is inflamed, it can lead to pain, tenderness, swelling, and decreased strength.

Some people  experience discomfort during lifting or straightening the arm with day to day activities.  Athletes or active individuals who perform repeated movements, such as throwing, pushing, or lifting, are at higher risk. Improper technique, overtraining, or insufficient rest can increase the likelihood of a tricep strain or even a pulled tricep muscle. Early recognition and proper care are key to preventing worsening symptoms and promoting a full recovery.

What causes Triceps Tendonitis?

How the Injury Occurs

Triceps tendonitis develops when the triceps is  repeatedly used in forceful or high-intensity activities. This repeated stress can overstretch the tendon, leading to inflammation, irritation, and pain at the back of the elbow. Over time, this may also cause a tricep strain or a minor pulled tricep muscle if not properly managed.

Common Everyday Causes

• Repetitive pushing, lifting, or overhead activities at work or during workouts 
• Rapid increases in training volume or lifting weight without proper form 
• Sports and activities that involve frequent arm extension, throwing, or pushing 

Sports Where Triceps Tendonitis Is Common

• Baseball (Pitchers): Repeated high-force throws strain the tendon. 
• Softball (Pitchers): Similar to baseball, frequent throwing motions increase tendon stress. 
• Tennis: Serving and strong strokes repeatedly extend the elbow, causing tendon irritation. 

Weightlifting: Exercises like bench presses, pushdowns, or overhead extensions rely heavily on the triceps and can lead to soreness or inflammation if overdone.

Symptoms

Triceps tendonitis commonly causes tricep soreness and discomfort at the back of the upper arm. Key symptoms include:

• Mild swelling: Puffiness or tenderness behind the elbow due to tendon inflammation 
• Pain when extending the arm: Activities like pushing, lifting, or straightening the arm can trigger sharp or aching pain 
• Weakness: Difficulty performing movements that involve elbow extension 

Symptoms often develop gradually and intensify with repeated use or heavy activity. Persistent pain may indicate a triceps strain or a more pronounced pulled triceps muscle, which requires proper evaluation.

Non-operative treatment

Most cases of triceps tendonitis can be treated successfully without surgery. The focus of non-operative care is to reduce pain, calm inflammation, and gradually restore strength and flexibility to the arm.

In the early stage of recovery, your doctor will usually recommend rest and avoiding any movements or activities that make the pain worse, especially heavy lifting, pushing, or sports that require forceful arm extension. Giving the tendon time to settle is one of the most important steps in healing.

Applying ice to the back of the arm can help decrease pain and swelling. Many providers suggest icing the area for about 10 minutes every hour during the first couple of days after the injury. This reduces early inflammation and helps protect the tendon from further irritation.

Your doctor may also prescribe or recommend a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) such as ibuprofen or aspirin. These medications help manage pain and lower inflammation around the tendon. They are usually taken for a short period unless your doctor advises otherwise.

As your symptoms improve, your provider may suggest starting physical therapy. A licensed physical therapist or Athletic Trainer can guide you through safe exercises that restore mobility, improve strength, and prevent the injury from returning. Therapy often includes stretching, controlled strengthening, and techniques to improve the way your arm and shoulder move during daily activities and sports.

Try these exercises to support your recovery:

These exercises are designed to gently stretch and strengthen the triceps tendon and the surrounding muscles. They help improve flexibility, increase load tolerance, and support a gradual return to normal activity.

Below is a PDF of the Exercise Program

Triceps Tendonitis Exercise Program (PDF)

Surgical Treatment

Triceps tendonitis treatment almost always gets better without surgery. Most people recover fully with rest, proper care, and rehabilitation exercises.
In rare cases, surgery may be considered when the tendon shows significant damage or when symptoms do not improve after a full course of nonsurgical care.

If surgery is needed, the procedure usually involves removing damaged tissue and repairing the weakened section of the tendon to restore strength and reduce pain.