Is my joint pain tendonitis or arthritis?
Tendonitis is inflammation of the tendon attaching muscle to bone — pain is usually on movement, tender to touch over the tendon, and improves with rest and gradual loading. Arthritis pain comes from inside the joint itself — worse with weight-bearing (OA) or with inflammation regardless of use (RA), often stiff first thing. Physiotherapy assessment is the fastest way to tell them apart.
Last updated 2026-07-04. This is general information, not a substitute for personalised medical advice.
Frequently asked questions
When would you pick Tendonitis?
Recent onset; specific tender point; movement-related; often after over-use.
When would you pick Arthritis?
Gradual onset; joint stiffness; swelling inside the joint; often symmetrical (RA).
What should I be careful about?
The two often coexist — arthritis around a joint can trigger tendonitis nearby.