Flexor Tendonitis
Tendonitis is inflammation, irritation, and swelling of a
tendon, which is the fibrous structure that joins muscle to bone. Each finger have two
tendons. The tendons run along the palm side of the fingers and are very close to
the surface of the skin, particularly where the skin folds as you bend your fingers. The
tendons in the fingers are called flexor tendons. The longer tendon (flexor digitorum
profundus attaches to the last bone of the finger and bends the tip; the shorter tendon
(flexor digitorum sublimis) bends the middle joint of the finger.
Symptoms of Flexor Tendonitis
- An inability to bend one or more joints of the finger
- Pain when you bend your finger
- Mild swelling over the joint closest to your fingertip
Treatment of Flexor Tendonitis
Initial treatment of the condition can include:
- Icing the area
- Avoiding activities that caused the inflammation
- Splinting the affected finger or thumb in an extended position for 10 to 14 days
Your physician may prescribe an oral anti-inflammatory medication to reduce the pain
and swelling. In addition, to reduce the inflammation of the tendon sheath, your
physician may also give you an injection of corticosteroid (cortisone-like medication)
directly to the affected area. If symptoms persist, another injection could be given
in three or four weeks, except in cases of rheumatoid diseases. Patients with
rheumatoid disease are at an increased risk for tendon rupture and surgery should be
considered after one injection fails to relieve the symptoms. |
