Tenosynovitis
Updates to Article Attributes
Tenosynovitis is a term describing the inflammation of the synovial membrane surrounding a tendon. The synovial membrane is part of a fluid-filled sheath that surrounds a tendon.
Clinical presentation
- joint swelling
- pain in the affected area and pain moving a joint
- reddening along the length of the affected tendon
- difficulty moving the joint
Pathology
Aetiology
Tenosynovitis can be caused by a varietey of disease processes, including, but not limited to:
- trauma/injury
- mechanical irritation
- rheumatoid arthritis: most common to involve extensor capi ulnaris and flexor carpi radialis
- gout
- CPPD
- infection
- diabetes
- compartment syndrome
Specific forms
-
stenosing tenosynovitis:
- hypertrophy of the flexor pulley: trigger finger
- 1st extensor compartment: De Quervain disease
Radiographic features
Plain radiograph
Plain radiographs are non-diagnostic, but may show calcification of one or several synovial membranes (this finding orientates towards a rheumatism for hidroxiapatita or a condrocalcinosis) and a periosteal reaction in an adjacent bone.
Ultrasound
The synovial membrane is not identified unless there is a pathological swelling. Tenosynovitis is characterised by increased fluid content within tendon sheath, thickening of the synovial sheath with or without increased vascularity which can extendsextend into the tendon sheath, and peritendinous subcutaneous oedema. Subcutaneous oedema can result in a hypoecoichypoechoic halo sign and peritendinous subcutaneous hyperaemia on Doppler imaging.
Colour Doppler ultrasound is an important part of the tendon sheath assessment; it can differentiate between synovial thickening which is more suggestive of chronic disease and turbid tendon sheath fluid collection- more indicative of acute exudative tenosynovitis. In chronic inactive disease, however, there is synovial thickening with minimal vascularity.
MRI
Increased fluid within tendon sheath:
- T1: low or intermediate if debris within tendon sheath
- T2: high
- T1 C+ (Gd): tendon sheath thickening and peritendinous subcutaneous contrast enhancement
Treatment and prognosis
Treatments may include non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, bandage or splint, cold therapy, and/or rest. Surgical procedures to release the tendon are very rarely suggested. If there is no infection present, and the tenosynovitis persists after a period of rest, then a steroid injection may be suggested. If the tenosynovitis was caused by infection then a course of antibiotics will likely be offered. Physiotherapy is an option.
-<a title="Rheumatoid arthritis" href="/articles/rheumatoid-arthritis">rheumatoid arthritis</a>: most common to involve extensor capi ulnaris and flexor carpi radialis</li>- +<a href="/articles/rheumatoid-arthritis">rheumatoid arthritis</a>: most common to involve extensor capi ulnaris and flexor carpi radialis</li>
-</li></ul><h4>Radiographic features</h4><h5>Plain radiograph</h5><p>Plain radiographs are non-diagnostic, but may show calcification of one or several<a href="/articles/synovial-membrane"> synovial membranes</a> (this finding orientates towards a rheumatism for hidroxiapatita or a <a href="/articles/condrocalcinosis">condrocalcinosis</a>) and a <a href="/articles/periosteal-reaction">periosteal reaction</a> in an adjacent bone.</p><h5>Ultrasound</h5><p>The synovial membrane is not identified unless there is a pathological swelling. Tenosynovitis is characterised by increased fluid content within tendon sheath, thickening of the synovial sheath with or without increased vascularity which can extends into the tendon sheath, and peritendinous subcutaneous oedema. Subcutaneous oedema can result in a hypoecoic halo sign and peritendinous subcutaneous hyperaemia on Doppler imaging.</p><p>Colour Doppler ultrasound is an important part of the tendon sheath assessment; it can differentiate between synovial thickening which is more suggestive of chronic disease and turbid tendon sheath fluid collection- more indicative of acute exudative tenosynovitis. In chronic inactive disease, however, there is synovial thickening with minimal vascularity. </p><h5>MRI</h5><p>Increased fluid within tendon sheath:</p><ul>- +</li></ul><h4>Radiographic features</h4><h5>Plain radiograph</h5><p>Plain radiographs are non-diagnostic but may show calcification of one or several<a href="/articles/synovial-membrane"> synovial membranes</a> (this finding orientates towards rheumatism for hidroxiapatita or a <a href="/articles/condrocalcinosis">condrocalcinosis</a>) and a <a href="/articles/periosteal-reaction">periosteal reaction</a> in an adjacent bone.</p><h5>Ultrasound</h5><p>The synovial membrane is not identified unless there is a pathological swelling. Tenosynovitis is characterised by increased fluid content within tendon sheath, thickening of the synovial sheath with or without increased vascularity which can extend into the tendon sheath, and peritendinous subcutaneous oedema. Subcutaneous oedema can result in a hypoechoic halo sign and peritendinous subcutaneous hyperaemia on Doppler imaging.</p><p>Colour Doppler ultrasound is an important part of the tendon sheath assessment; it can differentiate between synovial thickening which is more suggestive of chronic disease and turbid tendon sheath fluid collection- more indicative of acute exudative tenosynovitis. In chronic inactive disease, however, there is synovial thickening with minimal vascularity. </p><h5>MRI</h5><p>Increased fluid within tendon sheath:</p><ul>
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