At Shoreline Orthopaedics, our orthopaedic surgeons use a truly collaborative approach so our patients have the benefit of multiple expert opinions, without having to go elsewhere to obtain them.
Shoreline Orthopaedics provides more comprehensive services, state-of-the-art options, technologies and techniques than anyone else in the area.
The following information is provided to help you understand what you can expect from us regarding policies and procedures, and also what is expected of you before and after treatment or procedures.
The following information is provided to help you gain a better understanding of anatomy, terminology, certain orthopaedic procedures, and more. If you have any questions, feel free to ask your physician.
Tendons are rope- or cord-like bands of tissue that connect muscle to bone. When a muscle contracts, the tendon pulls on the bone it is connected to, causing that body part to move. Many tendons in the hand and wrist pass through tunnels (tendon sheaths) that keep them organized and held snugly in place, positioned close to the bone. These tendons are covered in a slippery thin layer of soft tissue (synovium) that enables them to pass through the tunnels easily.
Tendinitis occurs when a tendon becomes irritated, inflamed or swollen and causes the synovium around the tendon to swell, changing the shape of the tendon sheath compartment and making it difficult for the tendons to move properly. Tendinitis can cause pain and tenderness along the hand or wrist that is particularly noticeable when grasping or gripping, forming a fist, or turning the wrist. Pain in the thumb-side of the wrist is the primary symptom of De Quervain's tendinitis, one of the most common types of wrist tendinitis. Other types of tendinitis in the hand and wrist include tendinitis of the wrist flexor and extensor tendons, intersection syndrome, and trigger finger or trigger thumb.
Pain may appear gradually or suddenly, and travel to other regions of the hand, wrist or forearm. A catching or snapping sensation may be experienced when moving the hand, wrist or fingers. Movement of these areas may be difficult due to pain and swelling, which can also cause weakness in the hand. Although swelling in a tendon is not always obvious, it is noticeable with some forms of hand and wrist tendinitis. In some cases, numbness may also result from irritation of nerves lying on top of the tendon sheath. Tenderness directly over the tendons in the affected area is common in certain types of tendinitis, and can be quite painful.
Overuse is a common contributor to hand and wrist tendinitis. It can also be associated with pregnancy and inflammatory arthritis, such as rheumatoid disease, which can occur in the hand or wrist.
Your physician may perform a variety of specialized tests to determine if you have tendinitis, and if so, from what tendon.
Simply avoiding activities that cause pain and swelling may be enough to allow symptoms to abate on their own, without additional treatment. Although most tendinitis pain will eventually improve on its own, it may require many months to resolve.
Nonsurgical treatment options to relieve pain caused by irritation and swelling include:
If symptoms are severe or do not improve with nonsurgical treatments, surgery may be needed to open the tendon sheath compartment and make more room for the inflamed tendons. Following surgery, use of the hand is typically resumed once comfort and strength have stabilized.
With any surgery, there are some risks, and these vary from person to person. Complications are typically minor, treatable and unlikely to affect your final outcome. Your orthopaedic surgeon will speak to you prior to surgery to explain any potential risks and complications that may be associated with your procedure.