How to prevent tenosynovitis

The tendon sheath is a sheath-like structure that surrounds the tendon. The outer membrane is a fibrous tissue that attaches to the bones and adjacent tissues to fix and protect the tendon. The inner layer is the synovium, which nourishes the tendon and secretes synovial fluid to facilitate tendon sliding.

When repeated and excessive activities occur, friction often occurs between the tendon and the tendon sheath, causing edema and fiber changes, leading to narrowing of the lumen. When moving in a narrow tendon sheath, pain and movement disorders occur, which is called tenosynovitis, also known as stenosing tenosynovitis.

Tenosynovitis is most common in the fingers and wrists. Female workers in cigarette factories, packers, binders, seamstresses, typists, housewives and painters are more likely to suffer from tenosynovitis. Common manifestations include difficulty in flexing the fingers, local swelling, tenderness, and nodules; in severe cases, elastic sounds may be produced, and it is difficult to extend the fingers when bent, or they may extend but not bend.

After suffering from tenosynovitis, the wrist should be fully rested and manual labor should be reduced. Heat therapy, massage or local blockade can be used to relieve early tenosynovitis. If the above methods are ineffective or tenosynovitis recurs, surgical treatment is required.

To prevent tenosynovitis, you should take more breaks during work and do some stretching exercises to avoid overstraining the tendons. When you rest, you can clench your fists and relax after a few seconds, which can strengthen your finger strength. Exercises that bend your palms can also strengthen your wrists. After returning home every day, you can soak your wrists in hot water to speed up blood circulation.

For office workers, they should adopt a correct working posture, try to balance their hands, and keep their wrists in contact with objects instead of hanging. For example, add a wrist pad in front of the computer keyboard to increase the support of the wrist and thumb, and try to use an ergonomic keyboard.

If you already have tenosynovitis, if it is acute with redness, swelling and fever, you can apply ice to the affected area; if it is chronic inflammation, you should use hot compresses and massage to accelerate blood circulation in your hands, and do some appropriate stretching exercises regularly. Topical medication or local blockade can relieve early tenosynovitis. If it recurs, surgical treatment is required.