What is the difference between constrictive tenosynovitis and stenosing tenosynovitis?

There is no essential difference between constrictive tenosynovitis and stenosing tenosynovitis. These two names are different expressions of the same disease. They are just different names. In essence, they are both chronic inflammatory lesions of the tendon sheath tissue. This lesion usually occurs between the flexor tendon and the tendon sheath of the finger or thumb, causing symptoms such as limited finger movement, pain, and even snapping sounds. Its common pathogenic factors include repetitive strain, long-term overuse of the hands, and proliferative inflammatory reactions.

1. What is constrictive tenosynovitis or stenosing tenosynovitis?

Constrictive tenosynovitis is an inflammation of the tendon sheath that occurs frequently in the fingers or thumbs, and is often clinically referred to as "trigger finger". Its pathological characteristics are that the friction and inflammation between the flexor tendon and the tendon sheath lead to narrowing of the tendon sheath, which in turn causes difficulty in finger movement. Patients may feel a "snap" when bending or straightening their fingers, and in severe cases, the fingers may even become "stuck" and unable to straighten.

2. Cause analysis

① Repetitive strain injury: Long-term work that requires repetitive finger movements, such as typing, weaving, playing musical instruments, etc., will cause the tendon sheath tissue to be gradually damaged due to friction and compression.

② Physiological factors: As individuals age, the tendons and tendon sheaths in the hands may degenerate; women are also a high-risk group due to changes in hormone levels.

③Pathological factors: Systemic diseases such as diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis can also increase the risk of tenosynovitis.

④ Local trauma: Acute trauma causes inflammatory reaction in the hands, which may further develop into chronic tenosynovitis.

3. Treatment and improvement

① Conservative treatment: Patients with the first onset of the disease can try to rest, reduce excessive hand manipulation, and use local hot compresses and physical therapy to relieve symptoms; non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen can be used when necessary.

② Injection treatment: For patients with more severe symptoms, local blocked injections can be performed under the guidance of a doctor, such as injections of glucocorticoids to reduce inflammatory responses.

③Surgical treatment: For patients who are ineffective with conservative treatment or whose symptoms are severe, tenolysis can be chosen to release the narrow area through surgery, which can effectively improve finger movement after surgery.

④ Daily adjustment: Appropriately reducing the intensity of hand activities, coordinating finger stretching exercises and wearing protective gear can protect the tendon sheath and reduce the risk of recurrence.

Constrictive tenosynovitis and stenosing tenosynovitis are just different names for the same disease. The key lies in early identification and standardized treatment. If you experience finger snapping or pain that cannot be relieved in your life, please consult a doctor as soon as possible to get professional guidance to avoid worsening of the disease and causing long-term damage to hand function.