Is tenosynovitis easy to treat?

Written by Lv Yao
Orthopedics
Updated on September 01, 2024
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Tendon sheath inflammation refers to the sterile inflammation of the tendon sheath surrounding a tendon, caused by repetitive activity and friction. This condition can impact tendon movement. In cases of early symptoms, conservative treatment such as rest and the topical application of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can be used to alleviate symptoms. However, if the symptoms are severe and lead to constrictive tendonitis, where the movement of the tendon sheath is obstructed and there is a snapping sensation during movement, surgery may be necessary to remove the constricted tendon sheath and relieve symptoms.

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Written by Guan Jing Tao
Orthopedics
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How is tenosynovitis diagnosed?

Tendinitis mostly occurs in the wrist joints that frequently flex and extend, as well as in the thumb and corresponding metacarpophalangeal joints. It is largely due to the repetitive flexion and extension movements of the fingers and wrist joints, such as those performed by noodle makers in restaurants, vegetable cutters, and some handcraft laborers. Repeated movements irritate the local tendon sheaths causing inflammation, leading to relative narrowing, which prevents the tendons from flexing and moving normally. This results in a condition known as stenosing tendinitis. These are the common causes and symptoms of the condition, enabling a clear diagnosis.

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Written by Lv Yao
Orthopedics
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Tendon sheath inflammation symptoms

Tendon sheath inflammation refers to a sterile inflammation that occurs between the tendon and the tendon sheath due to chronic overuse, impacting the tendon's gliding due to proliferative compression, causing localized pain, and restricted movement. In the early stages of tendon sheath inflammation, symptoms can be alleviated by rest, physiotherapy, and the topical application of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory and analgesic drugs. If the compression symptoms are severe and significantly restrict movement, resulting in snapping, surgery is recommended to excise the narrowed tendon sheath to restore function and relieve pain.

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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.)

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

Tendon sheath inflammation is a sterile inflammation caused by overwork and frequent flexing and extending of the tendon, leading to repeated abrasion and compression within the fibrous sheath of the tendon sheath. This results in local exudation, swelling, and fibrosis, which narrows the sheath canal. If the symptoms are mild, conservative treatment can be chosen, such as applying non-steroidal anti-inflammatory and analgesic medications, and topical anti-inflammatory and analgesic plasters for symptomatic treatment, combined with rest, immobilization, and physical therapy to alleviate symptoms. If symptoms worsen, local encapsulation treatment may be necessary. If symptoms persist and conservative treatment is ineffective, then surgery may be required.