Tenosynovitis

[ten” o-sin” o-vi’ tis]

Inflammation of a tendon and its sheath, usually seen in the hands and wrists or feet and ankles. It is often the result of intense and continued use, as with pianists and typists. It is painful and may temporarily disable the affected part. Rheumatoid and other types of arthritis frequently involve tendon sheaths. A less common cause of tenosynovitis is injury to the tendon sheath and subsequent infection. It can also be a result of tuberculous or gonorrheal infection. Treatment is by immobilization of the limb, or in severe cases by surgery for the purpose of draining the infected sheath or releasing the tendon from the constricting sheath.

Villonodular tenosynovitis: a condition marked by an exaggerated proliferation of synovial membrane cells, producing a solid tumor-like mass, commonly occurring in periarticular soft tissues and less frequently in joints.

TENOSYNOVITIS

Tenosynovitis is inflammation of the lining of the sheath that surrounds a tendon.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

• Infection
• Injury
• Overuse
• Strain