Tendinitis Specialist

What is tendinitis?

Tendinitis describes inflammation in connective tissue that attaches your bone to muscle. Repetitive movement or a sudden sprain can cause the pain and swelling associated with the condition. Tendinitis can affect any joint in the upper extremities but is especially common in the wrist (de Quervain tenosynovitis) and elbow (tennis elbow). Painters, carpenters, weight lifters and those who play sports, such as golf and tennis, are at risk of developing tendinitis.

Tendinitis doesn’t have to be isolated to a single tendon in these joints, however. Every joint has multiple tendons that are subject to inflammation.

What are the symptoms of tendinitis?

Pain and a reduced range of motion indicate possible tendinitis. If you have tendinitis in the wrist, you may experience pain and weakness when doing the following.

• Gripping
• Throwing
• Pinching
• Using a computer mouse or game controller
• Typing

You may see visible swelling at the joint, too.

Tendinitis of the elbow can cause pain when you:

• Try to lift something
• Open a door or shake hands
• Make a fist or grasp an object
• Raise your hand or straighten your wrist

If you have symptoms of tendinitis, Central Jersey Hand Surgery can evaluate and treat the condition.

What is de Quervain tenosynovitis?

De Quervain tenosynovitis is tendinitis that affects the thumb side of the wrist. The pain of the condition flares up when you open doorknobs, grasp objects, or turn keys. You may feel pain radiate into the thumb and increase as you twist the wrist.

Swelling of the tendons that extend the thumb is the reason for your pain.

How is tendinitis treated?

Rest, activity modification, and splinting can alleviate the pain and inflammation of de Quervain tenosynovitis and other types of tendinitis. Occupational therapy, hot and cold therapy, and stretching are other ways to alleviate pain and dysfunction. Your Central Jersey Hand Surgery doctor may sometimes recommend a cortisone injection and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications. 

If these less invasive methods fail to help you find relief, surgery may be necessary. The surgery is performed under local anesthesia, and you go home the same day.

If you have swelling and pain that suggests tendinitis in the wrist or elbow, call or schedule online with Central Jersey Hand Surgery to benefit from the team’s expertise.