Tendonitis occurs as a result of the tendon or its sheath becoming inflamed, usually in the fingers or wrist areas. The inflammation creates difficulty for the tendon to glide smoothly during joint movement. The consequences can range from simple discomfort to debilitating pain. Treatment for hand tendonitis generally involves rest and immobilization of the hand and fingers.
Repetitive Strain
Repetitive strain is the most common cause of tendonitis. Repetitive strain of the hand occurs when one or more joints are moved repeatedly, even if not forcefully. The precise pathological mechanism causing tendonitis after repetitive movements is not well-understood. However, it is recognized that certain activities and professions are particularly susceptible to developing tendonitis. Examples are typists, tennis and golf players and factory assembly line workers.
Hand Injury
A common cause of tendonitis is a direct injury to the hand. For example, after a hand sprain, fracture or surgery, a tendon near the injury site may become irritated. This can cause tendonitis in that tendon. Most often, the tendonitis occurs because the primary injury has not healed. This is one of the reasons why the hand should be rested and immobilized after injury or surgery.
Acute Stress
When a tendon is stressed suddenly and forcefully, it can develop small tears. The result is tendon inflammation and tendonitis. This traumatic and acute stress on the tendon commonly is produced as a result of a violent force on a joint, such as occurs in vehicular accidents, weight lifting and weight training.
Other Causes
Several other factors may cause tendonitis, and their effect on tendon pathology is poorly understood. One such factor is age. With age, all body parts, including tendons begin to lose elasticity. The result is a stiffer and less flexible joint. If the hand or fingers are stressed, any one of the tendons can become inflamed and develop tendonitis. Another cause of tendonitis is the presence of a diseases or chronic illness. For example, people with rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes and gout have a higher likelihood to develop tendonitis if they strain their hands. A rarer cause of tendonitis is thermal injury. This occurs when the hands are exposed to cold temperatures. Outdoor activities such as rock climbing, mountaineering and hiking are especially associated with this type of injury.
References
- Aetna InteliHealth: Tendonitis
- "Journal of the American Academy of OrthopedicSurgery"; Tendinitis and Other Chronic Tendinopathies; L. Almekinders; May 1998
