A tendon is a strong band of tissue that connects a muscle to a bone in the body. Tendons assist the muscles in moving the skeletal bone joints. A fluid-filled sheath surrounds the tendon, protecting it from injury. The synovium is the lining of the sheath. An inflammation in the lining, referred to as tenosynovitis, occurs from instances such as infection, injury and overuse. The most common areas for tenosynovitis to occur include the hands, wrists and feet. Recognizing the characteristics associated with the condition helps determine the treatment options for reducing the symptoms and speeding recovery.
Decreased Range of Motion
The joints affected by tenosynovitis may experience decreases in their normal ranges of motion and movements. Moving an affected joint normally becomes difficult. In a condition called Guervain's tenosynovitis, the wrist and thumb experience decreases in their ranges of motion and movements due to the inflammation, according to the Merck Manual. Once medications, rest and ice therapy help decrease the inflammation, performing exercises with the joint several times daily helps increase the range of motion again.
Edema
Swelling occurs in the joint affected by tenosynovitis. The swelling occurs along the area where the inflamed tendon sheaths are located. The Merck Manual says that the sheaths may feel warm, in addition to the swelling. Sometimes, the swelling associated with the inflamed tendon rubs against a nerve and causes numbness in the area.
Pain
Tenosynovitis causes pain along the tendon and around the joint. The pain occurs with movement of the joint and when pressing on the injured tendon, because it causes stretching in the tendon. Continuing to use the joint without proper therapy causes a continuance of pain.
Fever and Redness
If a low-grade fever or redness around the affected tendon occurs, an infection may be present in the inflamed sheath, explains MedlinePlus. Any redness or additional signs of infection require an evaluation by a physician for antibiotic therapy.
