How should tenosynovitis be treated?

Written by Lv Yao
Orthopedics
Updated on September 19, 2024
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Tendon sheath inflammation refers to chronic aseptic inflammation caused by excessive and frequent flexing and extending motions during labor, where the tendon is subjected to repeated friction and compression within the fibrous tunnel of the tendon sheath. This results in local exudation, swelling, and fibrosis, leading to a narrowing of the sheath canal and hindering normal tendon movements. For mild symptoms of tendon sheath inflammation, treatment can include rest, immobilization, physical therapy, and topical non-steroidal anti-inflammatory and analgesic medications, as well as anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving plasters. If symptoms do not improve, local injection therapy may be employed. If symptoms persist and conservative treatment is ineffective, surgical removal of the narrowed tendon sheath may be necessary. (Please use medications under the guidance of a doctor.)

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Written by Lv Yao
Orthopedics
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Tendinitis mild and severe symptoms

Tendon sheath inflammation refers to the exudation and adhesion between the tendon and tendon sheath caused by excessive flexion and extension activities, resulting in a sterile inflammatory response with symptoms of localized pain and limited mobility. In the early stages of adhesive inflammation, there is severe pain in the affected area along with limited flexion and mobility. As the condition progresses and with increasing age, severe proliferation of the tendon sheath may cause compression on the tendon, leading to symptoms of constrictive tendon sheath inflammation, particularly in the extensor tendons of the index and thumb fingers, commonly known as trigger finger.

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Written by Lv Yao
Orthopedics
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What medicine is used for tenosynovitis?

Tendinitis refers to the inflammation of the tendon sheath around the tendon due to repeated motion and strain, resulting in symptoms such as pain and limited mobility. In the early stages, the inflammation is relatively mild and conservative treatments can be chosen, such as the topical application of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory and analgesic medications to alleviate local pain and reduce inflammation. Physical therapy can also be used to promote healing of the injury. If the symptoms are severe and there is a snapping symptom, medication alone may not resolve the condition, and surgical treatment may be necessary.

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Written by Guan Yu Hua
Orthopedic Surgery
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Causes of recurrence of wrist tenosynovitis

Tendinitis is most commonly seen in the wrist or metacarpophalangeal joints. Typically, patients will experience redness, swelling, heat, and tenderness in the wrist, along with limited joint mobility. It is usually recommended that patients rest and avoid overexertion. Due to repeated friction caused by overexertion, swelling of the annular ligament or tendon sheath can occur. This leads to insufficient circulation of synovial fluid within the joints, and excessive friction can cause damage to the tendons and tendon sheaths, resulting in chronic inflammation and swelling. This is how tendinitis develops. Repetitive tasks, such as flipping a spoon at the wrist or cooking, can cause pain, with the most common being de Quervain's tenosynovitis, which can be confirmed by physical examination. Activities like wringing a towel or cooking can lead to pain. When necessary, treatments such as injections or small needle knife therapy may be required. Rest can relieve most symptoms, but there is a high chance of recurrence. Attention should be paid to wearing wrist braces and applying local heat can help.

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Written by Wang Cheng Lin
Orthopedics
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Is it good to get a steroid injection for tenosynovitis?

Treating tenosynovitis with injections is acceptable. Injections can significantly alleviate the pain caused by tenosynovitis and symptoms of limited joint mobility. However, it is imperative to take precautions during this treatment. Firstly, the injection contains steroids and anesthetics, so the number of injections must be limited. Generally, it is advisable to administer it once or twice a month. Excessive injections should be avoided as they can damage the local tendons or even the tendon sheaths, potentially exacerbating the pain from tenosynovitis or leading to spontaneous tendon ruptures. Therefore, the frequency of injections should be limited to a maximum of one to two times per month. Secondly, it’s crucial to ensure proper disinfection of the area during injections to prevent infections at the injection site and attend to potential bacterial infections. (Use of medication should be under the guidance of a physician.)

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Written by Guan Jing Tao
Orthopedics
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How to reduce inflammation in tendinitis

To reduce inflammation in tendinitis, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) should be used rather than antibacterial drugs such as cephalosporins, as the two are entirely different. In addition to using NSAIDs, it is also recommended to combine this with local physical therapy, such as electrotherapy, physiotherapy, acupuncture, etc. Topical NSAIDs can be applied locally and used in conjunction with physical therapy. For initial occurrences of tendinitis, these treatments can also provide good relief and improve symptoms of pain. However, for recurrent, stubborn tendinitis, the effectiveness of oral and topical medications in improving symptoms is limited. If necessary, local pain point block treatments can be performed, which can also result in good therapeutic effects. (The use of medications should be under the guidance of a doctor.)