Symptoms of tenosynovitis

Written by Li Jin
Orthopedics
Updated on March 20, 2025
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The symptoms of tenosynovitis mainly manifest as pain, swelling, and limited mobility in the affected area. Tenosynovitis is primarily a condition caused by long-term engagement in certain activities, leading to frequent movement of the tendon within the tendon sheath, which results in inflammatory damage to the sheath. When a patient with tenosynovitis is asymptomatic, treatment may not be necessary, and rest is typically sufficient. However, when symptoms do appear, treatment becomes necessary. Initial measures include rest and the symptomatic use of anti-inflammatory and analgesic medications, as well as medications that invigorate the blood and dispel stasis. Treatment can also be supplemented with methods such as heat application, physical therapy, and local injections to help improve symptoms and achieve favorable outcomes. When mobility impairments occur, surgical treatment may also be needed.

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Written by Lv Yao
Orthopedics
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Tendon sheath inflammation is what?

Tenosynovitis refers to a non-infectious inflammation of the tendon and its surrounding sheath, caused by repetitive stretching of the tendon. This inflammation can lead to local swelling, exudation, and even adhesions. In severe cases, the sheath may press on the tendon, resulting in symptoms of trigger finger. If tendinitis occurs, the early symptoms are mild and can be treated conservatively, such as with rest, immobilization, topical non-steroidal anti-inflammatory and analgesic medications, and even localized injection treatments. If symptoms are severe and the compression is significant, surgery may be required to remove the constricting sheath to relieve symptoms. (Please use medication under the guidance of a doctor)

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Written by Sun Shu Jian
Orthopedics
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What causes tendinitis? How does tendinitis occur?

The cause of tenosynovitis is the repeated mechanical friction between the local tendon and tendon sheath, leading to chronic aseptic inflammatory changes. It is often related to repeated activity in the affected area. Excessive repetitive movement of the affected area causes local congestion, exudation, edema, and other inflammatory changes. The stimulation of inflammatory factors leads to local pain and discomfort. As the condition progresses, thickening of the tendon sheath causes the local tendon to move less smoothly within the sheath, thereby causing restricted local movement. Additionally, tenosynovitis in infants and young children is often considered to be caused by congenital factors.

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Written by Cheng Bin
Orthopedics
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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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Written by Guan Jing Tao
Orthopedics
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Tendon sheath inflammation X-ray manifestations

Tendon sheath inflammation typically shows no noticeable abnormalities in the early stages on X-rays. However, in cases of recurrent constrictive tendon sheath inflammation, it may lead to abnormal changes in the local ligaments and joints, such as ectopic ossification, calcification, and bone proliferation. Generally, an X-ray examination of tendon sheath inflammation shows no significant local abnormalities. In stubborn cases, which relapse after multiple treatments, X-rays may reveal changes such as bony proliferation or ectopic ossification with high-density shadows.

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Written by Li Jin
Orthopedics
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How should tendinitis be treated?

Tendinitis is primarily caused by long-term engagement in certain activities, such as prolonged use of mobile phones and mice, which can lead to frequent tendon movement within the tendon sheath, causing traumatic inflammation, and resulting in symptoms such as tendon and tendon sheath swelling, pain, and limited mobility. Treatment for tendinitis is mainly divided into non-surgical and surgical treatments. Non-surgical treatment mainly involves rest, the use of anti-inflammatory and analgesic medications, and treatment methods such as hot compresses, physical therapy, and local injections. These can effectively help improve symptoms of pain and swelling and reduce inflammation. When conservative treatment is ineffective or when there is a dysfunction in mobility, surgical treatment may also be considered.