American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC) Practice Exam

Which symptom is NOT typically associated with tendonitis?

1. Localized swelling

2. Severe muscle spasms

3. Throbbing pain during movement

4. Stiffness near the joint

The correct answer is: Severe muscle spasms

Tendonitis is primarily characterized by inflammation of a tendon, which leads to several common symptoms. Localized swelling occurs at the site of the affected tendon as the body responds to the injury. Throbbing pain during movement is also a hallmark symptom, as the movement exacerbates the inflammation. Stiffness near the joint can occur due to the tendon being affected by inflammation and the surrounding structures also reacting to this irritation. Severe muscle spasms, however, are not typical of tendonitis. While muscle spasms can occur in a variety of musculoskeletal conditions, they are more often associated with muscle injuries or strains rather than with tendon injuries. Tendonitis tends to result in pain that is sharp or achy rather than a spasm of the surrounding muscle tissue. This distinction is important, as it helps clarify the nature of tendonitis and the specific symptoms one might expect when diagnosing and treating this condition.