Tenosynovitis: what it is, treatment and symptoms. Is there a cure?

Contents

What is Tenosynovitis?

Tenosynovitis is an inflammation in the membrane that covers the tendon. The function of this membrane is to nourish and lubricate. This tendon is known as a tendon sheath, causing pain, swelling and making it difficult to move because of inflammation.

This problem usually occurs in the wrist, such as De Quervain’s syndrome and carpal tunnel syndrome.

Most of the time, tenosynovitis is a consequence of some systemic disease. Some of the diseases that can bring the problem are:

  • Rheumatism;
  • Immunological disorders;
  • Metabolic diseases;
  • Infections;
  • Hormonal changes.

The people most likely to suffer from tenosynovitis are between 30 and 50 years old and women are the most affected. The wrists, hands and feet are the parts of the body that suffer most from inflammation, but it can occur in any tendon sheath of the human body.

Causes

Tenosynovitis is most often related to joint wear, and is even a gateway for bacteria. Wear is often caused by:

  • Repetitive movements;
  • Wounds;
  • Lesion;
  • Rheumatoid arthritis;
  • Distension;
  • Infectious diseases;
  • Exercises.

Risk factors

The main risk factors are women between 30 and 50 years of age and the performance of activities repeatedly can contribute to the development of inflammation. People who care for babies may be at greater risk of having tenosynovitis because the thumb is the lever to lift the baby.

Symptoms of Tenosynovitis

The main symptoms of inflammation are:

  • Lack of muscle strength;
  • Tendon pain when moving the joint;
  • Swelling in place;
  • Crackling (vibration when moving the tendon);
  • Redness in the length of the tendon;
  • Limited movement of a joint.

Diagnosis

When experiencing tendon problems, it is advisable to make an appointment with the specialist doctor. The most suitable to diagnose and treat the problem are: Rheumatologist, General Physician and Infectologist.

Most likely, the symptoms will be very easy to describe to the doctor, but other observations can be noted to make the diagnosis faster. The patient can tell the doctor if there is a history of use of medications or supplements, so that with this information the diagnosis can be made more quickly.

The doctor will do the clinical examination by pressing the affected area to understand the intensity of the problem. In addition, the Finkelstein test can be done if the problem is with the wrist. It consists of bending the thumb and folding the fingers down on top of the thumb. In this exam, the doctor identifies the power of the movements and the intensity of the pain.

X-rays can also be ordered by the doctor so that he is sure of the diagnosis.

Treatment for Tenosynovitis

The treatment of tenosynovitis can be done in three different ways. With medication, therapy or in more severe cases, surgery.

Medicines for Tenosynovitis

To reduce pain and swelling, your doctor may prescribe painkillers and also anti-inflammatory drugs. In more pronounced cases, injections of corticosteroids can be applied to the tendon sheath to reduce swelling.

Symptoms are usually improved after the application of corticosteroids.

The drugs commonly indicated by specialists are:

  • Celestone ;
  • Androcortil ;
  • Ketoprofen ;
  • Decadron ;
  • Betamethasone ;
  • Flanax ;
  • Prednisolone ;
  • Ibupril ;
  • Naproxen ;
  • Profenid ;
  • Dexamethasone ;
  • Predsim .

Therapy

Using immobilizers as a splint or brace can help rest the affected tendon. In addition, movements are limited with the use of a splint or brace.

Often treatment can be done with a physical therapist to relieve symptoms, strengthen the muscle and limit irritation of the tendon.

Surgery

In some cases, surgery may be recommended by the doctor. Surgery releases pressure so that the tendon can slide freely without pain to the patient.

After surgery, going to the physiotherapist is indicated to strengthen the muscle and avoid future problems.

Attention!

NEVER self-medicate or stop using a medication without first consulting a doctor. Only he will be able to tell which medication, dosage and duration of treatment is the most suitable for his specific case. The information contained on this site is only intended to inform, not in any way intended to replace the guidance of a specialist or serve as a recommendation for any type of treatment. Always follow the instructions on the package insert and, if symptoms persist, seek medical or pharmaceutical advice.

Complications

The main complication of tenosynovitis is the inability to move the tendons correctly if the treatment is not effective.

How to live with the problem?

Most of the patients are able to recover completely with the treatment of the disease, but if the repetitive effort happens again, the inflammation can affect the patient once again.

It is recommended to use immobilizers from the affected area, such as braces or splints. Do not make repetitive efforts with the affected tendon and perform physical therapy if recommended by the doctor.

Prevention

The best way to prevent the problem is to avoid repetitive strain on the tendons, and when the main symptoms appear, make a medical appointment so that the doctor can recommend treatment as soon as possible so that the problems are not aggravated.


The best way to prevent disease is prevention and information about it. Reading and always seeking to know more is always recommended. Share this text on tenosynovitis with your friends and family so that more people can ask for medical help early on and avoid future pain!

Loading...