Tendon Inflammation Hand – Causes, Symptoms & Treatment
Tendon inflammation of the hand is a painful irritation or inflammation of the tendons in the wrist or fingers. It is often caused by overuse and can significantly limit hand mobility.
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Tendon inflammation of the hand is a painful irritation or inflammation of the tendons in the wrist or fingers. It is often caused by overuse and can significantly limit hand mobility.
What is Tendon Inflammation of the Hand?
Tendon inflammation of the hand (medically known as tendovaginitis or tendinitis) refers to the inflammation or irritation of one or more tendons in the wrist, fingers, or thumb. Tendons are tough fibrous connective tissue cords that connect muscles to bones, enabling movement of the fingers and wrist. When these structures become irritated or overloaded, they can become inflamed, causing significant pain and restricted function.
Causes
Tendon inflammation of the hand can be triggered by a variety of factors:
- Overuse and repetitive strain: Repeated uniform movements such as typing, writing, or performing manual tasks
- Sports activities: Tennis, golf, climbing, or other sports with intense hand and wrist demands
- Poor posture or technique: Awkward hand positioning during work or sports activities
- Inflammatory conditions: Rheumatoid arthritis or gout can predispose individuals to tendon inflammation
- Injuries: Direct trauma or small microtears within the tendon
- Age-related changes: As tendons become less elastic with age, they are more susceptible to inflammation
Symptoms
Typical symptoms of tendon inflammation in the hand include:
- Pain in the wrist, fingers, or thumb that worsens with movement
- Swelling and redness over the affected area
- Warmth along the inflamed tendon
- Reduced range of motion in the hand or fingers
- Creaking or crepitus when moving the affected tendon
- Morning stiffness or start-up pain at the beginning of movement
Common Forms of Hand Tendon Inflammation
De Quervain Syndrome
De Quervain syndrome is one of the most common forms of tendon inflammation in the hand. It affects the tendons at the base of the thumb and causes pain on the thumb side of the wrist. It is particularly common in new mothers and individuals who perform repetitive gripping movements.
Trigger Finger (Stenosing Tendovaginitis)
In trigger finger, the tendon sheath of a finger becomes so inflamed that the tendon catches or locks when bending or straightening the finger. In severe cases, the affected finger cannot be straightened independently.
Wrist Tendon Sheath Inflammation
The tendon sheaths around the wrist joint can also become inflamed, often as a result of repetitive movements in everyday professional life.
Diagnosis
Tendon inflammation of the hand is typically diagnosed through the following measures:
- Physical examination: Palpation of the affected area, assessment of swelling, tenderness, and range of motion
- Specific tests: For example, the Finkelstein test for De Quervain syndrome
- Ultrasound: To visualize tendon inflammation and fluid accumulation within the tendon sheath
- MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging): For detailed imaging of tendons and surrounding tissue in unclear cases
- Blood tests: To rule out underlying inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis or gout
Treatment
Conservative Treatment
In most cases, tendon inflammation of the hand can be successfully treated without surgery:
- Rest and immobilization: Relieving the affected hand, possibly with a splint or bandage
- Cooling: Cold applications to relieve pain and inflammation in the acute phase
- Anti-inflammatory medications: Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen or diclofenac in tablet or gel form
- Physiotherapy: Stretching and strengthening exercises to stabilize and regenerate the tendons
- Corticosteroid injections: A local cortisone injection may help in persistent cases of inflammation
Surgical Treatment
If conservative measures are not sufficiently effective, a surgical procedure may be necessary. For example, the tendon sheath may be surgically released (tendovaginolysis) to decompress the inflamed tendon.
Prevention
The following measures are recommended to prevent tendon inflammation of the hand:
- Take regular breaks during repetitive tasks
- Ensure ergonomic workplace design
- Warm up and stretch before sporting activities
- Strengthen the hand and forearm muscles
- Avoid overloading and sudden increases in physical demand
References
- Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Orthopädie und Unfallchirurgie (DGOU): Guidelines on Tendon Disorders, 2022.
- Hochschild, J.: Strukturen und Funktionen begreifen. Thieme Verlag, Stuttgart, 2019.
- Aroori, S., Spence, R.A.: Carpal tunnel syndrome and related tendon disorders. Ulster Medical Journal, 2008.
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