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Tenosynovitis: Inflammation Of The Feet And Hands That You Need To Know

Tenosynovitis: Inflammation Of The Feet And Hands That You Need To Know

Tendons are a type of fibrous tissue that connects muscles to bones. When they suffer from inflammation, their pain can be unbearable, especially in the case of tenosynovitis. Thus, it is necessary to know to identify the symptoms of this articular problem in order to be able to treat it in time.

Tenosynovitis
Each tendon in the body has a protective coating called the synovial sheath. This sheath produces a synovial fluid that keeps the tendon lubricated.

Tendon injury may result in malfunction of the sheath. If this occurs, the sheath may no longer produce synovial fluid or may not produce enough. This can cause inflammation or swelling of the sheath. This problem is known as inflammation of the synovial sheath, or tenosynovitis.

What causes tenosynovitis?

Tenosynovitis is usually the result of damage to the tendon, muscle, or surrounding bone. This problem is not limited to athletes and appears in people who perform a variety of activities by doing repetitive movements, such as working with the chain, weeding and typing. Individuals in certain jobs appear to be at higher risk than others, such as carpenters, dentists, musicians, office workers ... etc.

It is most often in the tendons of the wrist, hands and feet that an injury can happen following:
  • A repetitive stress activity
  • Prolonged physical activity, such as running
  • Stay in the same position for long periods
  • Sprains and sudden sprains
One of the most common tenosynovitis is De Quervain tenosynovitis. It is a painful inflammation of the wrist and thumb tendons. When swollen tendons rub against the narrow tunnel through which they pass, it causes pain in the base of the thumb and forearm.

Inflammation of the synovial sheath may also be due to underlying health problems, such as rheumatoid arthritis, scleroderma, gout, diabetes, reactive arthritis, such as Reiter's syndrome, and gonorrhea.

The cause of the disease can not be determined in some people. In rare cases, tenosynovitis is due to an infection resulting from a cut or perforation of the tendon.

What are the symptoms of tenosynovitis?

Tenosynovitis is more common in the hands, feet and wrists. However, it can appear in all tendons of the body, including those of the shoulder, elbow and knee. And in case of tenosynovitis, the following symptoms may appear:
  • Joint stiffness, making movement difficult
  • Swelling of the joints
  • Articular pain
  • Joint sensitivity
  • Redness of the skin covering the tendon in question
  • Crunches of fingers and toes during movements
Some people may develop fever. This indicates the presence of an infection and requires immediate medical attention.

Tenosynovitis remains a curable joint problem and several treatments exist to remedy it.

Common treatments for tenosynovitis

The treatment of tenosynovitis is focused on reducing inflammation and pain. Your doctor will suggest the best strategy to follow.

One of the strategies is to rest the affected area by ending the activities that caused the initial injury. It is recommended to use a splint or bandage to immobilize the sore area.

The application of heat or cold can also help reduce swelling and pain. The doctor may also recommend a massage, stretching the affected area, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), or ultrasound.

It is also recommended to regularly take a warm bath of rosemary water. It has an anti-inflammatory and relaxing effect. In addition to drinking ginger infusions that reduce pain and inflammation.

Once the tendon heals, the doctor can recommend exercises or physical therapy to strengthen your muscles. Strengthening the muscles helps protect the tendon from injury in the future. Keep in mind that tenosynovitis can come back at any time if you do not pay attention to your postures and movements.

In the case of recurrent tenosynovitis, the doctor may recommend surgery to correct this problem.
Tenosynovitis