Is Tenosynovitis Causing Your Hand Pain?

If you’ve been dealing with persistent hand pain, swelling, or stiffness, you might be dealing with more than overuse or aging. It could be tenosynovitis, a condition that affects 2.6% of the general population, but as many as 20% of people with diabetes and 87% of people with rheumatoid arthritis.

Tenosynovitis happens when the protective sheath (synovium) surrounding your tendons becomes inflamed. Tendons are the tough cords that connect muscles to bones, and when their sheaths become inflamed, it can lead to pain, tenderness, and difficulty moving the affected joint.

Our board-certified surgeons at Sequoia Institute for Surgical Services routinely diagnose and treat tenosynovitis here in Visalia, Reedley, and Porterville, California, so if you’re concerned about hand pain, don’t hesitate to reach out.

In the meantime, here are the top signs that your hand pain is related to tenosynovitis. 

What makes the synovial membrane in your hand inflamed?

We’ve already covered that tenosynovitis develops when your tendon sheath becomes inflamed. This can happen in any joint where the synovial membrane protects joints where two bones move together, including your fingers, thumbs, knuckles, and wrists.

Several factors can contribute to tenosynovitis in your hands, including:

• Repetitive hand or wrist movements (like typing or manual labor)
• Injury or trauma to the area
• Inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis
• Infections 

Tenosynovitis caused by infections — infective tenosynovitis — is less common than other types. Both Staphylococcus aureus and MRSA can contribute to infective tenosynovitis. 

3 signs you have tenosynovitis

You may have tenosynovitis if you experience:

Pain

Pain from tenosynovitis runs along your tendon. Depending on where the inflammation is, you may experience pain and tenderness in your hand, wrist, or fingers.

Swelling

Occasional hand swelling after hiking on a hot day or taking a long flight isn’t unusual. However, if you notice swelling without a clear cause, it's important to take note. 

The area around an inflamed tendon may also feel warm or tender to the touch, indicating underlying inflammation.

Difficulty moving your joint

If you have a specific type of tenosynovitis called stenosing tenosynovitis, you may find it difficult to move your fingers smoothly. This condition occurs when inflammation causes the tendon sheath to narrow — a process known as stenosis, which restricts your tendon’s movement.

Common examples include trigger finger, where a finger gets stuck in a bent position, and De Quervain’s tenosynovitis, which affects the tendons on the thumb side of the wrist.

What to do if you suspect you have tenosynovitis 

Hand pain that doesn’t improve with rest could signify something more serious. If you suspect tenosynovitis, an accurate diagnosis and treatment can prevent permanent tendon damage and restore your hand function.

At Sequoia Institute for Surgical Services, our team uses detailed physical exams and imaging to diagnose tenosynovitis accurately. If we confirm that your hand pain is related to tenosynovitis, we may recommend: 

• Rest and activity modification
• Splinting or bracing
• Anti-inflammatory medications
• Steroid injections
• Hand therapy

In more severe or chronic cases, surgical intervention may be necessary to release the affected tendon sheath and restore normal movement. 

If your hand pain isn’t related to tenosynovitis, we still have you covered. Our board-certified hand surgeons can get to the bottom of your symptoms and recommend the right treatment.

Visit us in Visalia, Reedley, or Porterville, California, to get the expert care your hands deserve.