TENDON SHEATH INFLAMMATION TENOSYNOVITIS
What is Tendon Sheath Inflammation ?
The tendons are the sinews which join the muscle to the bone, so that when the muscle contracts the bone on the other side of the joint will move. Tendons are often surrounded by a thin sheath. Tenosynovitis occurs when this sheath becomes swollen and inflamed. This produces pain and swelling over the tendon which is made worse by moving the joint over which the tendon runs. As the tendon moves backwards andf orwards in its inflamed sheath, it may produce a crackling sensation called crepitus. This can be felt or even heard in the wrist, hand and foot, the most common places where people get tenosynovitis. How does Tendon Sheath Inflammation occur ?
It is usually the result of rapidly repeated movements. For some reason it is more common in pregnancy and in patients who also have rheumatoid arthritis. Treatment involved for Tendon Sheath Inflammation
An x-ray of the underlying joint may be taken to rule out any arthritis, and blood tests may also be done if rheumatoid arthritis is suspected. Anti-inflammatory drugs are often prescribed and helpful. A single injection of local anaesthetic and a small amount of cortisone into the inflamed and swollen sheath of the tendon sometimes cures the pain quite quickly. If it is the wrist that is affected by the tenosynovitis, a plaster of Paris splint may be applied to immobilize the tendon. Sometimes this can be removed so that you can still wash your hands. Alternatively it may be a complete plaster. These splints are worn for 4 to 6 weeks. If the tendons are swollen and painful on the side of the wrist in the line of the thumb, an operation is sometimes the treatment of choice. Under general anaesthetic, the thickened tendon sheath is incised, the skin is stitched and a small dressing is worn for 2 weeks. This usually produces dramatic cure of the symptoms. Physiotherapy is not usually necessary. After treatment for Tendon Sheath Inflammation
Try and avoid any rapid repetitive movements that might have provoked the original attack.
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ANTI
INFLAMMATORY DRUGS - NSAID
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