Tendonitis
Wrist Tendonitis
Wrist Tendonitis, also called Tenosynovitis, is a common condition characterized by irritation and inflammation of the tendons around the wrist joint.
Many tendons surround the wrist joint. Wrist Tendonitis usually affects one of the tendons, but it may also involve two or more. Often wrist tendonitis occurs at points where the tendons cross each other or pass over a bony prominence.
When wrist tendonitis becomes a problem, the tendon sheath or Tenosynovium, becomes thickened and constricts the gliding motion of the tendons. The inflammation also makes movements of the tendon painful and difficult.
What are the symptoms of Wrist Tendonitis?
The most common and consistent complaint of patients diagnosed with Wrist Tendonitis is pain over the area of inflammation. Swelling of the surrounding soft-tissues is also quite common.
How is the diagnosis of wrist tendonitis made?
Diagnosis of wrist tendonitis is a made by looking for the characteristic signs of this problem. In addition, depending on the tendon that is inflamed, the physician can perform tests that stretch the area of concern to locate the precise source of inflammation.
What is the treatment for Wrist Tendonitis?
There are a variety of treatment options available. Those include the following:
- Immobilization – involves placing the wrist in a splint or a cast as the first treatment step. By resting the tendon, the inflammation should decrease.
- Icing the Injury – by applying an ice pack intermittently to the area of inflammation, the inflammation can cool and stimulate blood flow to the area of tendonitis.
- Anti-Inflammatory Medications – some, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications help control symptoms of pain, but more importantly help in the treatment to decrease inflammation and swelling of the soft-tissues.
- Cortisone Injection – a more powerful anti-inflammatory treatment option given by injection directly to the site of inflammation. Cortisone injections are safe, but can weaken tendons over time if too many injections are given.
- Surgery – only when other treatment methods have failed to solve the problem.
