Inflammation is not the most common cause of tendon pain. Rather, many small (micro) tears in the connective tissue around the tendon is the more common cause of tendon pain; this condition is termed as tendonosis.

Unfortunately, most diagnoses of tendon ailments classify them as tendonitis - when in fact the individual more likely than not is dealing with tendonosis.

The treatment approaches vary greatly. With tendonitis, a focus on rest, icing, and suppression of inflammation is the strategy. In cases of tendonosis, the condition involves breakdown of the tendon tissue - therefore a focus on enhancing blood flow to the tendon to rebuild and remodel is the key.

The following article discusses the approach to take to obtain a proper diagnosis and the first steps to take if you determine are suffering from tendonosis.

https://breakingmuscle.com/fitness/get-the-diagnosis-right-its-not-tendonitis-its-tendinosis