Is electrothermal therapy effective for tendinitis?

Written by Cheng Bin
Orthopedics
Updated on September 09, 2024
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Regarding the question of whether electrothermal therapy is effective for tenosynovitis. First, it needs to be affirmed that electrothermal therapy is beneficial for patients with tenosynovitis. The primary purpose of electrothermal therapy is to promote local blood circulation and facilitate the absorption of inflammatory exudates, which can effectively alleviate the clinical symptoms of the patient's tenosynovitis, and the results are quite good. Therefore, patients with tenosynovitis can undergo electrothermal therapy. In addition, for patients with tenosynovitis, local injections, topical plasters that activate blood circulation and remove blood stasis, and daily local hot washing can also be performed. Hot washing with Sichuan pepper and salt in hot water is usually sufficient. For patients with severe tenosynovitis, it is necessary to actively pursue surgical treatment.

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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 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.

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Written by Cheng Bin
Orthopedics
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How to treat tendon sheathitis?

This mainly depends on the severity of the patient's tendinitis, which determines the proactive treatment plan. For instance, if the tendinitis is very severe, with local snapping and limited flexion and extension movements, it is necessary to actively carry out treatments such as small-needle-knife surgery, tenosynovectomy, or partial excision surgery. However, for tendinitis that merely presents as pain symptoms, conservative treatment can still be chosen. For example, local injection, reducing physical activity, and insisting on daily local hot washing. Using some topical ointments that promote blood circulation and remove blood stasis, many patients will gradually recover through these active treatment methods.

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Written by Guan Jing Tao
Orthopedics
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Diagnosis methods for tenosynovitis

Diagnosis relies on the doctor's physical examination, as well as the patient having localized pain and restricted movement, with definite tender points. Moreover, if local symptoms are atypical, an X-ray can be performed to rule out other conditions such as osteoarthritis, or bone hyperplasia, allowing for a localized diagnosis. In addition, localized symptomatic treatment can be administered, and if there is improvement, it can indirectly confirm the diagnosis of tendinitis. Typically, when there is localized pain with significant movement restriction, and apparent pain and hyperplasia at the tendon's central axis, a clear diagnosis can be made.