The tendon sheath is a double-layered casing-like closed synovial tube outside the tendon, the outer layer is fibrous tissue, attached to the bone and adjacent tissue, which plays a role in fixing and protecting the tendon; the inner layer is close to the tendon and secretes synovial fluid to lubricate the tendon. Long-term overuse of the tendon can lead to inflammatory damage to the tendon and tendon sheath, resulting in tenosynovitis. If left untreated, it may develop into permanent mobility problems. In the hand, the most common are radial stenosis tenosynovitis and finger flexor tendon tenosynovitis.
1. Clinical manifestations
Finkelstein’s test: when the thumb is held tightly within the other four fingers and the wrist is biased toward the little finger, severe pain occurs at the radial styloid process.
The pain sometimes radiates to the wrist and there is pressure pain at the finger joint flexion, and thickened tendon sheaths and pea-sized nodules can be palpated. When bending the affected finger, it suddenly stays in the semi-bending position, the finger can neither be straightened nor flexed, as if it is suddenly “stuck”, but after using the other hand to assist in triggering, the finger can move again, producing a bolt-like action and popping sound.
2.Causes
Tendonitis of the wrist used to be a common disease among middle-aged and elderly women, and is related to the atrophy and degradation of the tendon sheaths and the decrease in elasticity and resistance of the middle-aged and elderly people due to their domestic work. But now the “thumb people”, long-term use of computer office white-collar, cleaning and other service industries, blue-collar or housewives, have become a high incidence of tendinitis, which is closely related to improper posture, overuse.
3, wrist tendinitis of daily prevention and care methods
(1) change bad habits, such as twiddling fingers, etc.
(2) avoid holding children, objects, wringing laundry for a long time, etc.
(3) Do not work continuously for too long, and after work, rub your fingers and wrists gently.
(4) After suffering from this disease, pay attention to avoid cold water stimulation, so as not to aggravate the symptoms, and actively cooperate with the treatment.
(5) For long-term ambulatory office workers, should adopt the correct working posture, try to let the hands balance, wrists can touch the physical, do not hang.
(6) Wrist joints to do 360 degrees of rotation, or will be the palm of the hand to clench hard fist and then relax, back and forth a few more times; or will be the fingers back pressure or palm back pressure a few times, can be effective in relieving hand pain.
(7) You should not be anxious and relax in the face of this type of disease.
(8) Carefully use tools when using tools, do not focus pressure on the base of the wrist, try to use the elbow and shoulder.
4. Preventive rehabilitation exercises
(1) Active wrist mobility exercises
① Flex the fingers and wrist to the maximum degree, maintain for 6 seconds, then relax.
(2) Straighten the fingers and extend the wrist joint dorsally, maintain for 6 seconds, then relax.
③ Clench your fist and flex your wrist to the side of the little finger, maintain for 6 seconds, then relax.
④ Clench your fist and flex your wrist to the side of your thumb, hold for 6 seconds, then relax.
3 sets of 10 reps per day.
(2) Wrist stretching exercises
①Practice the stretching exercises on the affected wrist joint with the help of the healthy hand;
②Press the back of the affected hand to flex the wrist joint as much as possible and maintain the posture;
③Take the palm of the affected hand or fingers to stretch the wrist joint as far as possible, and maintain the posture;
④ Pay attention to keep the elbow joint of the affected side in the straight position.
3 sets per day, 3 times per set, each time each position insisted on 15-30 seconds.
(3) Forearm rotation front and back exercises
①Bend the elbow 90 degrees with the palm up;
② Rotate the forearm inward until the palm is down, then rotate it outward until the palm is up.
3 sets of 10 reps each day.
(4) Wrist flexion (strength) exercises
① palm up, hold a drink or dumbbell in your hand;
(2) Evenly force upward to flex the wrist joint, then slowly relax back to the original position;
③ according to their own practice can be appropriate to increase the weight of dumbbells.
3 sets of 10 reps per day.
(5) Wrist dorsiflexion (strength) exercises
① palm down, hold a drink or dumbbell in your hand;
(2) Evenly exert upward force to make the wrist joint dorsiflexion, then slowly relax back to the original position;
③ according to their own practice situation can be appropriate to increase the weight of dumbbells;
3 sets of 10 reps per day.
(6) Grip strength exercises
①Hold the rubber ball or rubber band in your hand;
② grip firmly and maintain a still posture.
3 sets per day, 10 reps per set, hold for 5 seconds each time.