Tendonitis
Our hands are complex structures made of bone, joints, muscles, and tendons. Together, they facilitate the transfer of power to the hand and the palm, allowing for stretching and bending the hand. Overloading of the tendons and the tendon sheaths can lead to pain and a burning sensation in the forearm.
This condition is referred to as tendonitis. Patients suffering from this condition find it very difficult to perform daily activities. Pain is especially common while moving and grasping things, and in chronic cases of tendonitis, the entire affected limb can be compromised, leading to severe pain, swelling and restricted mobility.
A prompt diagnosis and an effective treatment path are the best prognosis and are highly recommended to avoid serious long-term complications of degeneration.
Causes of Tendonitis
The tendons responsible for movement in the fingers and hands are surrounded by connective tissue called tendon sheaths.
A slightly oily fluid called synovial fluid helps nourish and lubricate the tendons and tendon sheaths, preventing excess friction when the arm is used.
Some factors can lead to the degeneration of this complex system, which can lead to tendonitis. Some of the most commonly known factors include:
- Overstressing the arm and hands often leads to wear and tear of the tendons and sensitive tendon sheaths. Repeated long-term movement, common to some fields of work, for example, in sports (repeated swinging of a bat) or in music (repeated use of hands to play a violin, for instance), can lead to overstressing the forearm and hands.
- This reduces the gap between the tendons and the tendon sheaths, resulting in increased irritation when the two rub against each other. The synovial fluid is unable to properly lubricate the surrounding area.
- Lack of ergonomics in the workplace can lead to repetitive strain injury syndrome. Poor quality or poor use of infrastructure, like tables and mouse pads (quality and fit), can lead to overstressing the hands. For example, uncomfortable chairs or tables (specifically the height of the table) are fairly common stressors.
- In rare cases, patients might develop tendonitis due to a bacterial infection of the forearm tendons.
Tendonitis Symptoms
Tendonitis is almost exclusively a disease of the hand and wrist. Some of the most commonly known symptoms of the condition include:
- Pain when turning the wrist or trying to grip things
- Grinding and grating sounds
- Associated swelling of the affected limb
- Development of thickened areas in the inflamed tissue
- Severely restricted mobility
- Redness and tenderness of the skin near the affected tendon sheaths
In chronic cases of long-term neglect or degeneration, the entire limb is compromised. A patient experiences severe pain even without stressing the tendons, and the pain can be inconsistent and cause discomfort. The arm is rigid, and the patient’s mobility is severely restricted.
An early diagnosis is highly recommended to avoid serious long-term complications.
Diagnosis of Tendonitis
A medical professional begins with a complete patient history and physical examination of the elbow. This provides critical information about the patient's risk factors and allows for a study of the condition's progression.
Sophisticated imaging technology, such as X-rays and ultrasound, can provide more information about the condition of the bones, muscles, and tendons in the joint.
Treatment for Tendonitis
Treatment for tendonitis is predominantly conservative. Providing ample support and stabilisation to the joint can help control the damage done to the tendon sheaths. Early intervention is the best course of action to prevent degeneration and permanent nerve damage. Only in severe cases of chronic tendonitis does surgery become a viable option.
Ergonomic Redesign of Workplace
One of the most efficient preventative measures against mouse arm would be to work with the employer to redesign the office infrastructure with well-being in mind. Comfortable chairs and adjustable tables are good examples of simple measures to take in everyday life.
If using a computer and a mouse are instrumental at work, using a comfortable and appropriately sized mouse with a mouse pad can significantly reduce the risk of mouse arm.
Immobilisation
Immobilising the forearm temporarily has proven effective in managing the symptoms of the condition. This allows the wrist to rest and heal quickly. Patients should be careful not to prolong the immobilisation period for too long, since it can lead to the tendon and tendon sheath sticking together.
Rehabilitation, Physiotherapy And Occupational Therapy
Regulated occupational therapy helps with targeted muscle training and is a proven effective treatment path. Physiotherapy exercises can help promote muscle reorganisation and are the most effective option to curb the disease.
Encouraging healthy proprioception and strengthening the wrist muscles helps prevent long-term degeneration. Physiotherapy can effectively help regain coordination and mobility of the hand and forearm after a period of immobilisation.
Pain Relief Medication
Over-the-counter pain relief medication can help alleviate pain and discomfort in patients. Pain, however, is a crucial indicator of injury. Painkillers merely mask the pain without addressing the underlying condition. Long-term use of painkillers has side effects and can be counterproductive.
In cases of significant swelling, it is highly advised that patients use anti-inflammatory medication to relieve the swelling and seek relief. Cryotherapy alongside medication (cold blankets or ice packs) can greatly help control swelling.
Medical Wrist Brace
A medical wrist splint helps reduce the pain and discomfort patients experience by relieving the joint. Wearing a Bauerfeind wrist brace, like the ManuTrain or ManuLoc active, can minimise the chances of injury by providing enhanced stability, proprioception, and medical-grade compression. This is not found in simple neoprene sleeves and braces and can be instrumental in a speedy recovery.
Surgical Intervention
Only in advanced cases is surgery required. The surgeon removes thickened tissue that constricts the tendon sheaths. The ring-shaped ligament can also be split lengthwise to provide some extra mobility. In most cases, the operation can be performed on an outpatient basis under local anesthesia. Patients opting for surgery in advanced cases have found relief from their symptoms.
Tendonitis Medical Wrist Braces and Supports
ManuTrain Wrist Support
The ManuTrain is a compression sleeve that targets the areas most commonly inflamed. Its built-in gel supports reduce swelling and inflammation, and it massages the area constantly to relieve pain. An adjustable strap and supportive stay make this ideal for milder tendonitis cases, especially if you have some swelling around the wrist.
A medical wrist orthosis, like the ManuLoc, can be instrumental in providing relief from tendonitis. The brace effectively immobilises the wrist and provides stability. The ManuLoc has been explicitly designed to be a great alternative to the traditional gypsum plaster splint. The ease of putting on and taking off the orthosis compared to the traditional plaster allows patients to comfortably apply ointments and medication on the affected limb.
Bauerfeind braces are designed to protect and provide ample support to the tendon sheaths when bending or stretching the wrist. This effectively relieves the limb and facilitates pain-free movement. Daily use of the brace allows for an ideal treatment path and has proven highly effective. The light breathable material makes it perfect for everyday use.