How to Treat and Prevent Tenosynovitis – Know the Options

How to Treat and Prevent Tenosynovitis – Know the Options Tenosynovitis is inflammation of a tendon and its sheath. The article discusses the causes, symptoms and treatment options for this condition.

Tenosynovitis is an inflammation of the synovium or the lining encompassing a tendon sheath on the thumb side of your wrist. Also called tendon sheath inflammation, this work-related injury is common among people who are engaged in repetitive hand or wrist movement activities. Tendon sheaths are tubes of connective tissue filled with a lubricating fluid that surround the tendons like a tunnel. Any injury to the tendon may result in the malfunction of the sheath, which prevents the sheath from making enough synovial fluid. This in turn can cause inflammation or swelling of the sheath.

Inflammation or any changes due to persistent overstrain can lead to a dragging pain along the tendon.

Leading multispecialty rehabilitation and pain management centers based in Brooklyn, NYC offer specialized treatment for tenosynovitis that help people get over sudden sharp pain, inflammation, numbness and tingling sensation, and other symptoms associated with the condition.

Causes and Symptoms Chronic overuse of your wrist is one of the common causes of tenosynovitis. Repeating a particular motion day after day could irritate the sheath around the two tendons, causing thickening and swelling that restrict their movement. The condition is not limited to athletes and appears in people who perform a variety of repetitive-motion activities, such as assembly-line work, weeding, typing, carpentry, and dentistry. In addition, the condition can also occur due to underlying health conditions like – rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, reactive arthritis (such as Reiter’s syndrome), scleroderma, gout and gonorrhea. However, in some rare cases, tendon sheath inflammation could occur due to an infection that resulted from a cut or puncture to the tendon.

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Even though tenosynovitis can affect any tendon sheath, it most commonly affects the hands, wrists and feet because the tendons are long across these joints. However, it can also occur in any tendon in the body, including those of the shoulder, elbow, and knee. Common symptoms include Joint pain Redness of the skin Joint swelling and tenderness Joint stiffness, making it difficult to move Difficulty moving your thumb and wrist (with activities that involve grasping or pinching) Fever A "sticking" or "stop-and-go" sensation in your thumb when moving it Treating Tenosynovitis – What Are the Non-surgical Options?

Initial diagnosis of tendon sheath inflammation will generally involve a detailed physical exam of the affected area in order to gauge the extent of pain and to check if swelling and redness is present. In some cases, pain management doctors may conduct necessary blood tests and other diagnostic imaging tests like X-rays or MRI scan to confirm the diagnosis or rule out other potential causes.

Treatment for this condition aims to reduce inflammation, preserve movement and prevent reoccurrence of symptoms. Physicians may recommend the use of a brace or splint to immobilize the affected area. Applying heat or cold may also help reduce swelling and pain. Other non-surgical therapies include - Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), Physical therapy, Chiropractic treatment, Ultrasound and stretching the affected area. Stretching exercises for your wrist, hand and arm help to strengthen your muscles, reduce pain and limit tendon irritation. In addition, physicians may prescribe over-the-counter non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) and naproxen (Aleve).Injections of corticosteroid medications into the tendon sheath may be provided to reduce swelling.

Avoiding excessive, repetitive or forceful movements is one of the first steps to prevent the occurrence of tendon sheath inflammation. Stretching and strengthening exercises around the site of the joint will also help. Use appropriate wound-care techniques to clean cuts to the hand, wrist, ankle, and foot as this will help prevent infection and the possible development of tendon sheath inflammation.