Tenosynovitis is inflammation of the lining of the sheath that surrounds a tendon (the cord that joins muscle to bone).
Inflammation of the tendon sheath
The synovium is the lining of the protective sheath that covers tendons. Tenosynovitis is inflammation of this sheath. The cause of the inflammation may be unknown, or it may result from:
The wrists, hands, ankles, and feet are commonly affected because the tendons are long across those joints. But, the condition may occur with any tendon sheath.
An infected cut to the hands or wrists that causes infectious tenosynovitis may be an emergency requiring surgery.
Symptoms may include any of the following:
Fever, swelling, and redness may indicate an infection, especially if a puncture or cut caused these symptoms.
The goal of treatment is to relieve pain and reduce inflammation. Rest or keeping the affected tendons still is essential for recovery.
Your provider may suggest the following:
Tenosynovitis caused by infection needs to be treated right away. Your provider will prescribe antibiotics either taken by mouth or through your veins. In severe cases, emergency surgery is needed to release the pus around the tendon.
Ask your provider about strengthening exercises that you can do after you recover. These may help prevent the condition from coming back.
Thomas Klein is an Orthopedics doctor in Reston, Virginia. Dr. Klein has been practicing medicine for over 39 years and is rated as an Advanced doctor by MediFind in the treatment of Tenosynovitis. He is also highly rated in 5 other conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Osteoarthritis, Tendinitis, Bursitis, and Tenosynovitis. Dr. Klein is currently accepting new patients.
Randall Peyton is an Orthopedics doctor in Sterling, Virginia. Dr. Peyton has been practicing medicine for over 34 years and is rated as an Advanced doctor by MediFind in the treatment of Tenosynovitis. He is also highly rated in 4 other conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Osteoarthritis, Acute Pain, Tendinitis, Knee Replacement, and Hip Replacement. Dr. Peyton is currently accepting new patients.
Phong Nguyen is a Rheumatologist in Reston, Virginia. Dr. Nguyen has been practicing medicine for over 40 years and is rated as an Experienced doctor by MediFind in the treatment of Tenosynovitis. He is also highly rated in 4 other conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA), Osteoporosis, Rhizomelic Pseudopolyarthritis, and Polymyalgia Rheumatica. Dr. Nguyen is currently accepting new patients.
Most people fully recover with treatment. If tenosynovitis is caused by overuse and the activity is not stopped, it is likely to come back. If the tendon is damaged, recovery may be slow or the condition may become chronic (ongoing).
If tenosynovitis is not treated, the tendon may become permanently restricted or it may tear (rupture). The affected joint can become stiff.
Infection in the tendon may spread, which could be serious and threaten the affected limb.
Contact your provider for an appointment if you have pain or difficulty straightening a joint or limb. Contact your provider right away if you notice a red streak on your hand, wrist, ankle, or foot. This is a sign of an infection.
Avoiding repetitive movements and overuse of tendons may help prevent tenosynovitis.
Proper lifting or movement can decrease the occurrence.
Use the appropriate wound care techniques to clean cuts on the hand, wrist, ankle, and foot.
Summary: Trigger finger is a common upper limb impairment associated with a significant decrease in quality of life, hand dexterity and strength as well as increased pain while complying daily activities of living. Trigger finger can be managed through the surgical release of the ligaments in the affected finger. The open surgical release of trigger finger can be accomplished through multiple incision type...
Summary: The current study will be conducted to explore the efficacy of ESWT on ultrasonographic changes, pain intensity level, upper limb function and hand grip strength in patients with de Quervain tenosynovitis.
Published Date: September 20, 2022
Published By: C. Benjamin Ma, MD, Professor, Chief, Sports Medicine and Shoulder Service, UCSF Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, San Francisco, CA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
Biundo JJ. Bursitis, tendinitis, and other periarticular disorders and sports medicine. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 26th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 247.
Hogrefe C, Jones EM. Tendinopathy and bursitis. In: Walls RM, Hockberger RS, Gausche-Hill M, eds. Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 103.
Thompson NB. Hand infections. In: Azar FM, Beaty JH, eds. Campbell's Operative Orthopaedics. 14th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 79.