How to treat tendon sheathitis?

Written by Cheng Bin
Orthopedics
Updated on November 29, 2024
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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 Li Jin
Orthopedics
56sec home-news-image

Does tenosynovitis cause swelling?

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 Lv Yao
Orthopedics
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How to diagnose tenosynovitis?

Tendinitis refers to the condition where the tendons and their sheaths, due to excessive flexing and extending activities, develop adhesion and exudation between each other, leading to a painful aseptic inflammatory response. Generally, when tendinitis occurs, there is restricted movement in flexing and extending, as well as localized pain symptoms. Moreover, tenderness is also pronounced in areas where tendinitis symptoms are evident. Therefore, the diagnosis of tendinitis can be made through symptoms and examination, and when necessary, ultrasound and MRI can be used to reflect local swelling and inflammatory responses.

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Written by Guan Yu Hua
Orthopedic Surgery
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Causes of tenosynovitis

The causes of tenosynovitis, simply put, the tendon sheath is a double-layered dense synovial tube that encases the tendons. It acts as a protective fluid sheath for the tendons, consisting of two layers enveloping the tendon. Between these two layers is a cavity filled with synovial fluid. The inner layer is closely attached to the tendon, while the outer layer lines the inside of the tendon fibrous sheath, jointly attaching to the bone. It primarily functions to stabilize, protect, and lubricate the tendons, preventing them from friction-induced damage and compression. Long periods of excessive friction can lead to damage in both the tendon and its sheath, leading to swelling and pain, which are the symptoms of tenosynovitis. For example, certain occupations such as bricklayers, carpenters, those who work extensively with computers, and chefs who frequently stir with spoons, as well as seamstresses in textile factories, are prone to developing tenosynovitis. There might be a link between this condition and occupational diseases. In such cases, applying heat can be helpful, and if the pain is particularly severe, enclosed treatments might be conducted. Additionally, taking drugs that promote blood circulation and relieve pain might be advisable. In severe cases, surgical treatment may be necessary. (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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Is tenosynovitis easy to treat?

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 Na Hong Wei
Orthopedics
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How to completely cure tenosynovitis?

The only definitive treatment for tenosynovitis is surgery, because the clinical treatment of tenosynovitis is divided into three steps. The first step is general treatment, which mainly involves immobilization, medication, and topical application of analgesic and anti-inflammatory drugs; the second step is injection therapy; if these two methods do not work, then surgery is the only option. Therefore, surgery is the only way to completely cure tenosynovitis.