How do you treat an inflamed tendon sheath?

Common treatments include:

1. splints and compression to give the overworked tendon time to rest and heal.
2. stretching to improve flexibility.
3. hot and cold therapy to reduce swelling.
4. acetaminophen and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
5. corticosteroid injections to control inflammation.

What causes tendon sheath infection?

What causes infectious tenosynovitis of the finger, hand, or wrist? The most common cause is an injury that lets germs inside the tendon sheath. These injuries include animal bites, human bites, and puncture wounds. Abuse of IV drugs can also be a cause.

What is inflammation of the tendon sheath?

When a tendon is inflamed, it’s called tendonitis. It can happen to any tendon in the body. An inflamed tendon can cause swelling, pain, and discomfort. Another problem called tenosynovitis is linked to tendonitis. This is the inflammation of the lining of the tendon sheath around a tendon.

What happens if your tendon sheath bursts?

If, however, the condition goes untreated for some time, the damage caused to the tendon sheath can be permanent and cause pain and discomfort, as well as limiting range of motion. In extreme cases, the tendon sheath may even burst due to intense inflammation and damage to the tissue.

What happens if you cut a tendon sheath?

If a tendon is torn or cut, the ends of the tendon will pull far apart, making it impossible for the tendon to heal on its own. Because the nerves to the fingers are also very close to the tendons, a cut may damage them, as well. This will result in numbness on one or both sides of the finger.

What is the purpose of tendon sheath?

In these places, the tendons are often protected by layers of connective tissue known as tendon sheaths. Tendon sheaths are filled with a lubricating fluid, allowing the tendons to move smoothly and freely through them.

What happens if the tendon sheath bursts?

What causes entrapment of the APL and EPB tendons?

De Quervain’s disease is a condition of tendon entrapment affecting the common sheath of the APL and EPB tendons. The condition generally results from inflammation of the first extensor compartment as a result of repetitive motion or, less frequently, from acute trauma.

Can a flexor tendon sheath infection lead to death?

These are called flexor tenosynovitis, or a flexor tendon sheath infection. Prior to our understanding of the importance of surgery and the discovery of antibiotic treatment, flexor tenosynovitis often led to loss of limb or death. Today, these infections can be treated.

What are the signs of Kanavel flexor tendon sheath infection?

Physical examination of the affected digit may reveal some or all of Kanavel’s four cardinal signs of flexor tendon sheath infection, [ 1, 2] which are as follows:

What do you call an infection of the flexor tendon?

These are called flexor tenosynovitis or a flexor tendon sheath infection. Prior to our understanding of the importance of surgery and the discovery of antibiotic treatment, flexor tenosynovitis often led to loss of limb or death. Today, these infections can be treated.