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Hand Tendonitis Treatment in Pune
Get advanced hand tendonitis treatment in Pune with orthopaedic experts offering inflammation control and recovery therapy.
Overview
Wrist tendonitis is a painful condition that occurs when the tendons in your wrist become inflamed. Tendons are strong, cord-like tissues that connect your muscles to bones. In your wrist, these tendons link your forearm muscles to your hand and finger bones, allowing you to move your wrist and fingers smoothly.
When these tendons become irritated or swollen, it can make simple daily tasks difficult and painful. While the term “tendonitis” suggests inflammation, long-term tendon problems may actually involve tendon breakdown, called tendinosis.
Wrist tendonitis affects millions of people worldwide and can happen to anyone, though certain groups face higher risks. The good news is that most cases respond well to proper treatment and care.
Symptoms
The symptoms of wrist tendonitis can range from mild discomfort to severe pain that interferes with daily activities. The most common symptom is wrist pain that gets worse when you move your wrist or use your hand.
Primary Symptoms
- Wrist pain that may feel like burning, sharp stabbing, or a dull ache
- Pain that spreads up toward your elbow or down into your fingers
- Tenderness when touching the affected area
- Reduced strength in your wrist and forearm
- Difficulty bearing weight on your wrist
- Swelling around the wrist area due to tendon inflammation
- Stiffness that limits your range of motion
- A crackling or grating feeling when moving your wrist
Advanced Symptoms
If left untreated, wrist tendonitis may progress to more serious symptoms:
- Constant pain, even when resting
- Numbness in your fingers if nearby nerves become irritated
- Severe stiffness due to calcium deposits in the tendon
- Muscle fatigue and cramping
- Difficulty with simple tasks like turning door knobs or lifting objects
The pain and discomfort often return when you try to use your wrist, even after rest periods. This can significantly impact your quality of life and ability to work or enjoy hobbies.
Causes
Wrist tendonitis typically develops from repetitive motions that stress your wrist tendons over time. Normally, tendons glide smoothly within protective sheaths lined with lubricating fluid. However, overuse can irritate these sheaths, causing them to thicken and restrict tendon movement, leading to inflammation.
Common Repetitive Activities
- Typing on computers and using a mouse
- Writing for extended periods
- Physical work involving repeated wrist motions (hammering, chopping)
- Sports that heavily use the wrists (tennis, gymnastics, basketball)
Other Causes
Wrist tendonitis can also result from:
- Sudden injuries like falls or direct hits to the wrist
- Poor wrist posture during activities
- Weak wrist positioning
- Certain health conditions that affect tendon health
- Age-related changes in tendon flexibility
Sometimes an injury may not cause immediate symptoms, but the problem can worsen over time, eventually leading to tendonitis.
Risk Factors
Several factors can increase your chances of developing wrist tendonitis.
Key Risk Factors
- Gender: Women have a higher risk of developing wrist tendonitis
- Age: People over 40 face increased risk due to age-related tendon changes
- Occupation: Jobs requiring repetitive hand movements (computer work, hairstyling, operating machinery)
- Sports participation: Activities that strain the hand and wrist (gymnastics, tennis, basketball)
- Health conditions: Diabetes, arthritis, gout, and metabolic disorders
- Previous injuries: History of tendon problems increases future risk
- Lifestyle factors: Smoking can negatively impact tendon health
- New parents: Lifting and holding babies can cause De Quervain’s tenosynovitis (“mother’s wrist”)
While some risk factors like age or genetics cannot be changed, many lifestyle-related factors can be managed through prevention strategies.
Diagnosis
Diagnosing wrist tendonitis typically begins with your doctor reviewing your medical history and conducting a physical examination. Your healthcare provider will ask about your symptoms, including when the wrist pain started and what activities make it worse.
Physical Examination
During the exam, your doctor will:
- Examine your wrist, forearm, and fingers
- Gently press on specific areas to identify tenderness or swelling
- Ask you to perform certain movements to assess range of motion and strength
- Test for specific conditions using specialized tests
Diagnostic Tests
For De Quervain’s tenosynovitis, doctors may use the Finkelstein test. This involves bending your thumb into your palm, making a fist around it, then bending your wrist toward your little finger. Pain during this movement suggests this specific type of tendonitis.
Imaging
While many cases can be diagnosed through examination alone, your doctor might order imaging tests to rule out other conditions:
- X-rays: Show bones and can detect fractures or arthritis
- Ultrasound or MRI: Provide detailed images of soft tissues and can show tendon inflammation
Seeking medical attention for persistent wrist pain ensures proper diagnosis and appropriate treatment.
Types
While wrist tendonitis can affect any wrist tendon, certain types are more commonly seen:
De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis
This is the most common form of wrist tendonitis, affecting tendons on the thumb side of the wrist. Often called “mother’s wrist,” it frequently occurs in new parents due to repetitive lifting and holding of babies. Symptoms include pain when moving the thumb away from the hand and difficulty grasping objects.
Ulnar Tendinitis
This type affects tendons on the pinkie finger side of the wrist. It’s less common but can be equally painful and limiting.
Tendonitis is particularly common where tendons cross over each other or pass over bone, as these areas experience more friction during movement.
Stages
Wrist tendonitis can progress through different stages if left untreated:
Acute Stage
Initial symptoms are typically mild to moderate pain and discomfort. The inflammation is fresh and responds well to treatment.
Chronic Stage
Without proper treatment, the condition can become chronic, leading to:
- Buildup of scar tissue around tendons
- Increased stiffness and painful movement
- More persistent symptoms
Tendinosis
In advanced cases, chronic inflammation can progress to tendinosis, involving:
- Degeneration and micro-tears in tendon tissue
- Non-inflammatory but painful condition
- Often requires more intensive treatment
Early intervention prevents progression and helps avoid complications like tendon rupture, which may require surgery.
Treatment
The goal of wrist tendonitis treatment is to reduce inflammation and pain while promoting healing and restoring function. Most cases respond well to non-surgical treatments.
Non-Surgical Treatments
Rest and Activity Modification
- Avoid activities that worsen pain
- Allow tendons time to heal properly
RICE Method
- Rest the affected wrist
- Ice for 20 minutes every few hours
- Compression with elastic bandage
- Elevation above heart level when possible
Medications
- Over-the-counter anti-inflammatory drugs (ibuprofen, naproxen)
- Acetaminophen for pain relief
- Avoid long-term use of NSAIDs as they may weaken tendons
Splinting and Bracing
- Immobilize and support the affected wrist
- Restrict painful movements
- Prevent further injury
- Should be used temporarily to facilitate healing
Advanced Treatments
- Steroid injections: Direct injection into inflamed area (limited use)
- Ultrasound therapy: Identify problem tendons and break down damaged tissue
Surgical Options
When conservative treatments don’t provide relief after 3-6 months, surgery may be considered:
- Debridement: Removal of diseased tissue from the tendon
- Tendon sheath release: Creating more space for tendon movement
- Tenosynovectomy: Removing inflammatory tissue around the tendon
Surgery can be performed using open or minimally invasive techniques, depending on the specific condition.
Rehabilitation
Rehabilitation plays a crucial role in recovery from wrist tendonitis, whether treated surgically or non-surgically. Occupational therapists and physical therapists guide patients through structured recovery programs.
Rehabilitation Goals
- Promote healing process
- Regain strength and mobility
- Prevent future problems
- Return to normal activities
Exercise Program
Range of Motion Exercises
- Gentle movements in all directions
- Improve flexibility gradually
- Prevent stiffness
Stretching Exercises
- Target wrist flexor and extensor muscles
- Maintain tendon length and flexibility
Strengthening Exercises
- Start with light resistance
- Progress gradually to avoid re-injury
- Use items like soup cans or rubber balls
- Focus on wrist flexion, extension, and grip strength
Functional Rehabilitation
- Practice work-related activities
- Simulate daily tasks
- Ensure safe return to normal activities
Therapists also help identify and correct poor movement patterns that contributed to the original problem. Continuing exercises even after symptoms improve is essential for preventing recurrence.
Complications
Without proper treatment, wrist tendonitis can lead to serious complications that may require surgical intervention.
Chronic Problems
- Persistent pain: Symptoms that don’t resolve with time
- Scar tissue formation: Leads to stiffness and reduced mobility
- Functional limitations: Difficulty with daily activities like eating or personal care
Severe Complications
Tendon Rupture
- Complete tearing of the tendon
- Causes sharp pain and inability to move the affected area
- Requires immediate medical attention and often surgery
Tendinosis
- Chronic degenerative condition
- Involves micro-tears and abnormal blood vessel growth
- Creates visible, tender lumps and restricts movement
- More difficult to treat than acute tendonitis
Surgical Risks
While generally safe, surgery carries potential risks:
- Infection
- Nerve damage
- Incomplete healing
- Scar tissue formation
- Tendon displacement or re-tearing
These complications underscore the importance of seeking early treatment and following medical advice.
Living With Wrist Tendonitis
Managing chronic wrist tendonitis requires ongoing attention and lifestyle adjustments to control symptoms and maintain function.
Daily Management
- Continue rehabilitation exercises learned during treatment
- Modify activities that trigger symptoms
- Use adaptive equipment when necessary
- Maintain proper wrist posture and positioning
Emotional Support
Chronic pain can impact mental health, causing:
- Frustration with limitations
- Anxiety about future symptoms
- Depression from reduced activity levels
Seeking support from healthcare providers or mental health professionals can help manage these challenges.
Long-term Outlook
With proper management, most people with wrist tendonitis can:
- Significantly reduce their symptoms
- Return to most normal activities
- Prevent recurrence through continued care
- Maintain good quality of life
The key is consistency in following treatment recommendations and being proactive about symptom management.
Key Takeaways
- Wrist tendonitis involves inflammation of tendons connecting forearm muscles to hand bones
- Common symptoms include wrist pain, swelling, stiffness, and weakness that worsen with movement
- Primary causes are repetitive motions and overuse, though acute injuries can also trigger the condition
- Risk factors include being female, age over 40, certain occupations, sports participation, and underlying health conditions
- Diagnosis typically involves physical examination, with imaging tests used to rule out other conditions
- Most cases respond well to non-surgical treatments like rest, medication, splinting, and therapy
- Occupational therapy and physical therapy are essential for complete recovery and preventing recurrence
- Untreated wrist tendonitis can lead to serious complications including chronic pain, scar tissue, and tendon rupture
- Prevention strategies include proper ergonomics, regular breaks, stretching, and avoiding overuse
- With appropriate treatment and ongoing management, most people experience significant improvement
At Sancheti Hospital, we understand how debilitating wrist tendonitis can be and how it affects your daily life and work productivity. Our experienced team of orthopedic specialists, occupational therapists, and physical therapists work together to provide comprehensive care for patients with wrist tendonitis and other hand and wrist conditions.
We offer state-of-the-art diagnostic services, including advanced imaging techniques, to accurately diagnose your condition. Our treatment approach combines the latest non-surgical therapies with proven rehabilitation programs tailored to your specific needs.
When surgery is necessary, our skilled surgeons use minimally invasive techniques to ensure faster recovery and better outcomes. We also provide ongoing support and education to help you prevent future episodes and maintain optimal hand and wrist health. At Sancheti Hospital, your recovery and return to pain-free function is our primary goal.
Meet Our Hand & Microvascular Specialists
Patient Stories & Experiences
The pain in my left knee left me feeling helpless for years. After my treatment here, I can finally say I'm pain-free.
Vinita Singh
The nerves were swollen, and the body went numb. But thanks to Sancheti Hospital, I got a second life!
Parvati
I finally could walk again, a relief I've only felt after the hip pain surgery. I thank the doctors at Sancheti Hospital for their help.
Balaji Kharat
I'm a police officer, and I'm extremely thankful to Sancheti Hospital for treating my fracture without surgery.
Shantilal
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The knee pain I've carried for years finally went away with the help of Sancheti Hospital.
Karuna
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Kishore Bhosle
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between wrist tendonitis and carpal tunnel syndrome?
Wrist tendonitis involves inflammation of tendons, while carpal tunnel syndrome results from nerve compression in the wrist. Although symptoms can overlap, carpal tunnel typically causes pain on the palm side with tingling and numbness in specific fingers, while tendonitis pain is often located elsewhere on the wrist and worsens with movement.
Can wrist tendonitis heal on its own?
While minor discomfort might improve with rest, wrist tendonitis generally requires intentional treatment and avoiding use of the affected tendon to heal properly. Without treatment, it risks developing complications like chronic tendonitis or tendinosis.
How long does it take for wrist tendonitis to heal?
Recovery time varies based on severity and individual factors. With proper treatment and lifestyle changes, symptoms often improve significantly within three to six months. However, some cases may take longer, and chronic tendonitis may require ongoing management.
Is surgery always necessary for wrist tendonitis?
No, surgery is rarely needed for wrist tendonitis. Most cases respond well to non-surgical treatments like rest, therapy, splinting, and medication. Surgery is typically considered only if symptoms persist for several months despite conservative care or if there is significant tendon damage.
What kind of exercises help with wrist tendonitis?
Rehabilitation exercises for wrist tendonitis include a range of motion exercises, stretching, and strengthening activities. These improve flexibility, build strength in affected tendons and muscles, and restore function.
