Symptoms of neonatal tenosynovitis

Neonatal tenosynovitis usually manifests as difficulty moving the fingers, wrists or toes, accompanied by local swelling or tenderness. Whether to seek medical attention needs to be determined based on the specific circumstances.

The tendon sheath is a synovial membrane that wraps around the tendon, like a small "protective cover" for the tendon, which can reduce friction and protect the tendon. Neonatal tenosynovitis is a relatively rare condition, which may be caused by congenital stenosis of the tendon sheath, partial developmental abnormalities, or uneven local force.

If symptoms occur, parents may notice that some of their baby's fingers are bent and locked, unable to fully straighten, or touch a hard lump; sometimes accompanied by crying. These problems usually occur on the thumb or other single fingers, similar to adult "trigger finger". Newborns have delicate skin and it is usually not easy to see obvious redness and swelling, so it is particularly important to monitor the range of motion and finger shape.

For milder cases, parents can ensure that their baby's hands maintain an appropriate amount of movement and avoid long-term fixed holding postures. When the symptoms are more severe or affect the baby's daily movements, the baby should be taken to the doctor for evaluation as soon as possible, and a professional pediatrician will choose conservative treatment (such as manual correction, wearing a brace) or further intervention methods, such as surgery to release tendon sheath tension.