Other symptoms vary according to which tendon is affected:

• Rotator cuff tendonitis - Usually dull, aching shoulder pain that can't be tied to one location. It often radiates into the upper arm toward the chest. The pain is often worse at night and may interfere with sleep.

• Tennis elbow - Pain in the outer side of the elbow. In some cases, the painful area extends down to the forearm and wrist

• Golfer's elbow - Pain in the inner side of the elbow

• Jumper's knee - Pain below the kneecap and, sometimes, above it

• De Quervain's disease - Pain at the back of the wrist, near the base of the thumb

• Achilles tendonitis - Pain at the back of the heel or 2 to 4 inches above the heel