Does tenosynovitis cause swelling?

Written by Li Jin
Orthopedics
Updated on September 02, 2024
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Patients with tenosynovitis may experience swelling. Tenosynovitis primarily results from engaging in certain activities over an extended period, causing frequent movements of the tendon within the tendon sheath, which leads to inflammatory damage, resulting in swelling, pain, and restricted movement of the tendon and tendon sheath. Treatment for tenosynovitis is mainly divided into non-surgical and surgical treatment. Non-surgical treatment involves resting, using anti-inflammatory pain relief medications to alleviate symptoms, and can also include methods like heat application, physical therapy, and local blockades, which can play a positive role in improving symptoms and reducing inflammation. Of course, if conservative treatment is ineffective, or functional impairment occurs, surgical treatment may also be considered.

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Written by Na Hong Wei
Orthopedics
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How to treat tenosynovitis?

In clinical practice, the treatment of stenosing tenosynovitis is divided into three stages. The first stage involves general treatments, including early immobilization, followed by localized heat therapy, microwave therapy, and shock wave therapy, as well as the topical application of anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving medications. If there is no improvement after one week of conservative treatment, the second stage is initiated. The second stage involves an injection treatment, which is quite effective for this type of tenosynovitis in clinical practice. Generally, one or two injections can significantly alleviate symptoms, and some people may even fully recover. However, if after three injections the symptoms do not improve or worsen, further injections should be avoided, as this method is not beneficial for you, and you would then proceed to the third stage. The third stage involves surgical treatment. There are two types of surgical treatments: one involves a minor procedure using a small needle knife in traditional Chinese medicine, and the other involves conventional surgery. However, for radial styloid stenosing tenosynovitis, surgery is generally recommended due to the proximity of the radial nerve, which could be at risk of damage.

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Written by Cheng Bin
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Can tendinitis be treated with hot compresses?

Can hot compresses be used for tenosynovitis? Yes, patients with tenosynovitis can undergo hot compresses. The primary purpose of hot compresses is to promote the absorption of local inflammatory exudates, which can effectively alleviate the symptoms of pain associated with tenosynovitis. Therefore, patients with tenosynovitis can undergo hot compresses. Additionally, it is crucial to strictly ensure rest and protection in the early stages, reducing stimulation to the affected area, which is more beneficial for the improvement of clinical symptoms of tenosynovitis. Topical applications of ointments that invigorate blood circulation and dispel blood stasis can also be used. However, in cases of severe tenosynovitis where there is a snapping sound and the patient's local flexion and extension movements are restricted, it is necessary to actively pursue surgical treatment, which usually involves tenosynovectomy or partial excision surgery.

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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 Cheng Bin
Orthopedics
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How is tenosynovitis treated?

There are various treatment methods for tenosynovitis, mainly based on the severity of the patient's condition. If the tenosynovitis is very severe, such as the occurrence of triggering or local limb flexion and extension limitations, it is necessary to actively pursue surgical treatment. The surgery can be performed under local anesthesia, typically involving either cutting open the tendon sheath or partially removing it. Post-surgery, it is crucial to actively engage in functional exercises, change dressings, and disinfect the wound to prevent infection. For less severe tenosynovitis, local injection treatments can be an option. Additionally, persistently applying local heat treatments daily can help alleviate symptoms.

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Written by Li Jin
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How to apply heat to tendinitis

Patients with tenosynovitis can use heat application to improve symptoms and promote recovery. Heat can be applied with a hot towel or a hot water bottle to the affected area for about 10 to 20 minutes at a time, and can be done several times a day. Caution should be taken to avoid burns during heat application. Heat helps promote blood circulation and can play a role in alleviating symptoms of tenosynovitis and aiding in recovery. Additionally, patients with tenosynovitis need to rest and can also use anti-inflammatory and analgesic medications and medications that invigorate the blood and disperse stasis. Treatment can be combined with physical therapy and encapsulation techniques. These methods can be effective in improving symptoms and promoting recovery. When motor impairments occur, surgical treatment may also be necessary. (Please use medications under the guidance of a doctor.)