Stubborn Tenosynovitis and Treatment Options
Tenosynovitis appears as unpleasant pain around the wrist. It typically develops as a result of manual tasks that require heavy use of the hands. It often arises from prolonged typing, all-day mouse use, rearranging warehouse shelves, or reorganizing filing cabinets. Monotonous and strenuous work overloads the tendons around the wrist, causing inflammation that makes even the smallest movements painful. About the tendons, the tendon sheath […]
Tenosynovitis appears as unpleasant pain around the wrist. It typically develops as a result of manual tasks that require heavy use of the hands. It often arises from prolonged typing, all-day mouse use, rearranging warehouse shelves, or reorganizing filing cabinets. Monotonous and strenuous work overloads the tendons around the wrist, causing inflammation that makes even the smallest movements painful.
About tendons and the tendon sheath
Tendons are connective tissue bundles that connect muscles to bones and play an important role: they transmit muscle force to the bones. Tendons are surrounded by tendon sheaths, which are made of fibrous tissue. The lubricating substance between the layers of the tendon sheath facilitates tendon movement and allows the tendon to function properly.
You can find tendon sheaths on the hand, wrist, ankle and foot. There are about 250 tendon sheaths in your body, so it is almost inevitable that you will encounter tenosynovitis at some point in your life.
Without tendon sheaths, tendons would quickly become inflamed and worn from friction, and would eventually tear.
Tenosynovitis can be prevented
Because the cause is almost always overuse or prolonged, one-sided strain, tenosynovitis can be prevented with exercises that mobilize the tendons and joints, warm-ups before sport, and gradual increases in load. Take breaks during monotonous work. If you work on a computer, keep your hand in line with your forearm and avoid bending your wrist in either direction. When exercising, wear comfortable footwear and protect joints exposed to heavy load with elastic support bandages.
Other causes can include injury, impact, inflammatory joint disease, a focus of infection, or an unstable joint.
Tenosynovitis can also have a psychological origin. According to expert opinions, the onset of pain may represent a kind of refusal or reaction to work-related stress; it mainly occurs in people who consider themselves overloaded.
There are two types: fibrinous and purulent tenosynovitis.
Purulent tenosynovitis is caused by infection (needle, thorn, splinter, or a nail bed infection spreading to the tendon sheath). The painful symptoms (inflamed, swollen area) can be accompanied by fever, chills, and lymphangitis.
Signs of fibrinous tenosynovitis: the inner skin surface becomes rough, movements are painful, and you can hear the tendons rubbing against each other.
Treatment of tenosynovitis
If left untreated the condition can become chronic, so see a doctor to rule out purulent inflammation. Purulent cases require a different and more effective treatment (e.g. an antibiotic course) than overuse-related fibrinous cases.
Product recommendation for tendon sheath inflammation treatment
Tenosynovitis develops as a result of manual, physically demanding work, causing great pain when moving the hand at the wrist. A cracking sensation can be felt over the tendon.
Stop the activity that causes the complaint as soon as possible and rest the painful area! Apply cooling (but do not overdo it).
To relieve pain and reduce inflammation and swelling, over-the-counter creams, balms, and compresses can be used. Their active ingredients are usually ibuprofen, piroxicam, hydroxyethylsalicylate, etc.
Use physiotherapy methods
In addition to or instead of medication, you can use home physiotherapy devices. These are often not merely symptomatic treatments but can eliminate the cause of the condition. However, you must be more patient, because their effects develop more slowly than those of medications, but they can provide a lasting solution.
TENS (pain-relieving)
Appropriate choices include: Dolito, Myolito, Myobravo, Elite SII
Ultrasound therapy (anti-inflammatory)
Appropriate choices include: M-Sonic 950 or Sonostim 1032
Softlaser (stimulates cellular activity and regeneration)
Appropriate choices include: B-Cure Classic, B-Cure Sport Pro, B-Cure Pro, Personal Laser L400, Energy Laser L500 Pro, Energy Laser L2000 Pro
Pulsed magnetotherapy (biostimulating, supports regeneration),
Appropriate choices include: Magnum 2500, Magnum XL, Magnum XL Pro, Magnum 3000, Magnum 3500, Magnum Pro 2Drive
Microcurrent therapy (reduces pain and inflammation)
Appropriate choices include: Genesy 300 Pro, Genesy 600, Genesy 1500, Genesy 3000, Premium 400, Activa 700, Cycling Pro, Runner Pro, Soccer Pro, Triathlon Pro, The Champion
The earlier you start treatment, the better the results.
