The most common symptom of tendinitis in the arm is pain that radiates from the elbow through the upper or lower arm or from the shoulder to the upper arm, according to the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. Tendinitis is damage to the tendons.
The types of tendinitis that cause pain in the arm are lateral or medial epicondylitis, which refers to damage in the outer or inner tendons of the elbow, biceps tendinitis and rotator cuff tendinitis, according to the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. Pain symptoms for tendinitis in the biceps increase when lifting the arm overhead. Tendinitis relating to the rotator cuff is strongest during motions such as lifting, pushing, pulling and reaching overhead. Pain also increases if a sufferer puts pressure on the affected area by lying on it. The tendons and muscles around the affected area may become swollen, irritated or inflamed.
Lateral epicondylitis, also known as tennis elbow, causes increased pain with lifting motions, gripping motions, such as those used to shake hands or hold an object tightly, and raising the hand, as explained by WebMD. The symptoms for medial epicondylitis, commonly called golfers elbow, are similar.
