Tendonitis is topical cream for tendonitis by overuse of a muscle/tendon and can be difficult to cure once it occurs. It can be triggered by sudden movements or can develop gradually due to poor posture/movement or overuse of an affected area such as the Achilles tendon. Pain is generally felt when the injured muscle/tendon is used and can extend down the arm/leg or into the foot.

Over-the-counter pain relievers, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen can help reduce pain and inflammation. Cold packs or applying a heating pad to the affected area can numb the pain, decrease inflammation and increase blood flow to the area.

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Creams and gels that contain ingredients like menthol, methyl salicylate (oil of evergreen), capsaicin (the main ingredient of hot peppers) and camphor create a cooling/burning sensation that distracts your attention from the pain and may provide some relief. These ingredients are called counterirritants and can be found in both over-the-counter and prescription NSAID creams.

Lidocaine is a type of pain reliever that numbs the pain and is also available in both over-the-counter and prescription forms. It is usually mixed with a moisturizer to form a cream that you rub on the painful area.

Studies on the use of topical creams to treat tendonitis are conflicting and it is difficult to determine if these creams actually help the injury heal. They may help alleviate the pain temporarily, but they do not appear to have any effect on decreasing inflammation or strengthening the damaged tendons. Ultimately, the use of a topical cream or spray is only effective when used with other treatments such as resting the tendon and using a compression device or wearing a splint to support the injured tendon.