Tenosynovitis

Inflammation of tendon sheaths (connective tissue sheaths surrounding tendons). Tenosynovitis occurs predominantly in the area of ​​the hand and wrist, and less commonly in the knee and elbow joints. It develops due to the penetration of pyogenic microbes into the tendon sheaths during wounds and purulent diseases of the surrounding tissues. It can also occur without the participation of an infection from excessive stress on the tendons - permanent, associated with the profession (tenosynovitis of the hand and fingers in violinists, typists), or short-term, but unusual (for example, tenosynovitis of the wrist joint after washing and wringing out linen in people unaccustomed to this work).

Acute purulent tenosynovitis most often affects the fingers. This is the tendon panaritium; with it, suppuration can quickly spread to the tendon sheath of the palm and forearm, threatening severe complications including sepsis, and in the best case, cicatricial contracture of the fingers.

Signs of purulent tenosynovitis: acute pain, sharply intensifying with the slightest movement, swelling along the tendon, fever. With tenosynovitis from overload, the pain is not sharp, but movements are painful, accompanied by a sensation of crunching or creaking (crepitative tenosynovitis), the general condition of the patient is not disturbed. However, without proper treatment, this tendovaginitis can lead to persistent limitation of movements or become chronic.

Treatment of tendovaginitis is carried out by a doctor, to whom the patient should contact immediately, since the result of treatment is better the earlier it is started. With purulent tendovaginitis, in some cases, urgent surgery may be required. For overloads, rest (splinting) and thermal procedures are prescribed first, and after acute phenomena subside, exercises are prescribed that gradually restore mobility.

Prevention of infectious tendovaginitis consists of preventing microtraumas of the hand at work, constantly monitoring the cleanliness of hands, early treatment of microtraumas using antiseptics, and observing the rules of personal hygiene. To prevent occupational tendovaginitis, you should take breaks from work, resting your hands, and at the end of the working day, take warm baths for your hands and massage your forearms.

Tenosynovitis is an inflammation of the tendons that can occur in both professional athletes and people leading a sedentary lifestyle. This disease is manifested by pain and swelling of the tendons, as well as limited joint mobility. Tenosynovitis can be caused by various factors such as injury, overexertion, infection, etc.

To treat tendovaginitis, it is necessary to carry out a diagnosis, which includes x-rays or ultrasound. After this, the doctor prescribes treatment, which may include the use of anti-inflammatory drugs, physical therapy and surgery. It is important to remember that tenosynovitis is a serious disease, so you should consult a doctor at the first symptoms.