What Is Flexor Tenosynovitis?

Flexor Tenosynovitis can sometimes start off as an annoying pain in the finger joints or knuckles. But if it is allowed to continue untreated, then it could easily evolve into more painful and long-term health issues.

Identification

Flexor Tenosynovitis is a condition that appears in the joints on the hand, mostly in the fingers. It causes pain when a person attempts to move her fingers, or it can also cause pain when the person makes or releases a clenched fist of any kind.
The finger that is affected will display the tendency to lock-up in a curled position, and moving the finger back to being in a proper extended position can prove to be extremely painful.

Features

The condition is also referred to as trigger finger or by the term Stenosing Flexor Synovitis. It is often accompanied by a snapping sound when the finger joint is moved, or pain that is so severe that it can awaken the patient when he clenches a fist while sleeping.

Types

There can be several root causes for Flexor Tenosynovitis. One of the more common causes is an overuse of the finger for daily activity. The pointer finger is most commonly affected, and this finger is used by many people constantly throughout their day. Another cause is arthritis in the finger joint, which could be accompanied by nodules on the tendon that can cause severe pain when the finger is locked up. Flexor Tenosynovitis can also be the result of diabetes, or can be used as a possible indication that diabetes is setting in.

Considerations

Flexor Tenosynovitis is an infection of the tendons in the finger, but catching it early enough could help prevent the need for surgery. If a doctor feels that the condition is not in any advanced stages, she will often recommend aggressive physical therapy to help combat the condition.
For advanced cases, and cases involving diabetes, it may be necessary to use a medical procedure to combat the condition. The medical procedure involves introducing antibiotics directly into the affected finger, and then maintaining a program of antibiotics to combat the infection. The finger is usually placed in a splint to keep it in the comfortable extended position, and the physician may recommend that patient keep the finger held up to allow proper drainage.

Warning

Physicians consider Flexor Tenosynovitis extremely serious, and recommend seeking treatment when symptoms first appear. Not only is the condition extremely painful, but allowing the condition to go untreated can result in permanent loss in the use of the affected finger.