Tenosynovitis: a hidden threat in the hand that cannot be ignored

With the popularity of smart phones and computers, there is an increasing number of patients in rehabilitation clinics who often tell doctors that one of their fingers hurts, and sometimes it gets stuck suddenly during daily activities, with difficulty in straightening or bending the finger, and accompanied by a "clicking sound". Be alert at this time, because you may have "tenosynovitis."
01.What is tenosynovitis?

The cause of tenosynovitis is usually excessive friction caused by frequent wrist movements, which leads to wear of the tendon and tendon sheath , and aseptic inflammation such as congestion, edema, and exudation. Long-term and repeated inflammation may lead to stenosis of the tendon sheath. In addition, trauma to the tendon or tendon sheath, congenital tendon abnormalities, osteoarthritis or certain immune diseases may also cause this disease.

02.Who is prone to tenosynovitis?

We frequently use computer keyboards, mice and mobile phones every day, which will cause specific fingers to flex and extend repeatedly for a long time. Long-term excessive friction of tendons can cause injury and inflammation of tendons and tendon sheaths, causing swelling and eventually leading to radial styloid stenosing tenosynovitis. We often hear "keyboard hand" and "mom's hand is like this"!

The following types of people should be especially careful:

Hardworking housewife

Workers who move their hands and wrists repeatedly

People who use the mouse for a long time

Mobile game addicts

03. The main early symptoms include finger snapping and thumb snapping , which may be accompanied by morning stiffness and pain . The pain may disappear after movement, but may gradually worsen over time. In severe cases, the patient may flex the affected finger and dare not move it , with the middle finger and ring finger being the most susceptible.

Tenosynovitis in different parts of the body can be diagnosed through their own specific examination actions. For example, when radial styloid styloid stenosing tenosynovitis is suspected, the Finkelstein test (i.e., fist ulnar deviation test) can be used for examination: hold the thumb in the palm of the hand, and gently press the wrist down toward the little finger. If obvious pain on the radial side of the wrist is induced, and the feeling and location are the same as the usual pain, it indicates radial styloid stenosing tenosynovitis. If the test symptoms are atypical, you can go to the hospital for an accurate diagnosis with the help of ultrasound, nuclear magnetic resonance and other examinations.

04.How to treat tenosynovitis?

Conservative treatment

During the acute stage of tenosynovitis, when you feel pain, swelling and burning sensation, you should stop working and let your hands rest. Use cold compresses, electrotherapy and other methods to reduce swelling and pain. After entering the chronic stage, in addition to rest, you should pay attention to promoting local blood circulation. Wear protective gear when necessary. In order to prevent limited movement and muscle atrophy caused by inflammation, appropriate hand and wrist exercises should be performed. Traditional Chinese medicine treatment methods have a very good effect on the treatment of tenosynovitis. Its main treatment methods include the following: acupuncture treatment, moxibustion treatment, traditional Chinese medicine massage treatment, Chinese medicine plaster, small needle knife, directional drug penetration, ultrasound, etc.

Drug treatment

Oral non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and local intrathecal injection of steroid drugs for closed therapy.

Surgery

When conservative treatment of wrist tenosynovitis fails, surgical treatment can be used, including open surgery and arthroscopic surgery.

Finally, let go of your hands holding the phone and do hand exercises together.

①Rotate your wrist 25 times clockwise and 25 times counterclockwise.

②Spread your fingers open forcefully and hold for 20 seconds, 2-3 times.

③ Make a fist tightly, and quickly extend your little finger to the index finger in sequence, 10 times each.

④ Use your index finger and thumb to pull the fingers of the other hand starting from the thumb.

⑤Rub your palms up and down for 3 minutes.

⑥ With your palm facing up, grab the tennis ball and flip your wrist (palm facing down). Repeat 20 times.

03. Tips

Once symptoms of tenosynovitis appear, you should actively change your bad living habits. For some patients with mild symptoms, the symptoms will be significantly alleviated or even cured by resting. If you often have pain in your daily life, seek medical treatment in time for regular treatment to avoid worsening pain.