Tendinitis is inflammation in a tendon--the structure that holds muscle to bone--caused by overuse or repetitive movements, arthritis or injury. Some tendons travel through tunnels lined with a substance called tenosynovium that helps them move smoothly. Tendinitis can affect any tendon in the wrist. It's called tenosynovitis if it affects tendons that travel through tunnels or sheaths, according to Orthopedics. One common type of tenosynovitis that affects the wrist is de Quervain's.
Physical Sensations
Pain is a classic symptom of any type of tendinitis. The tendon may be painful to move or to touch when tendinitis starts to develop. As it worsens, the tendon may be painful even when you're not moving it. Resting the tendon by immobilizing it with a splint or brace helps decrease pain, according to Patient.UK. The same site also recommends anti-inflammatory medications and ice packs applied for 10 minutes twice a day to help with all symptoms. Pain may be accompanied by a burning sensation, Orthopedics says. If the tendon compresses nearby nerves, tingling and numbness may accompany the burning. This occurs in carpal tunnel syndrome, where the nerve is compressed.
Symptoms of Inflammation
Swelling and redness are signs of inflammation in the tendon. The skin over the tendon may also feel warm to the touch or lumpy, with the tendon being palpable. Swelling leads to stiffness and restriction of movement, which makes it hard to perform normal activities. Normal range of motion may be restricted, even if pain isn't present, according to Orthopedics. Ice, rest, anti-inflammatory medications and decreasing repetitive movement all help decrease inflammation.
Crepitus
Two thumb tendons are involved in de Quervain's. They may rub against each other, producing a grating sensation and a rubbing sound called crepitus, according to Hand University. De Quervain's can be treated with rest, ice and anti-inflammatory medications, or with surgery to open the roof of the sheath to give more room for the tendons to move without rubbing against each other.
