Therapy for tendovaginitis

Tendons and tendon sheaths in the hand, for example, can become so stressed by repetitive motion or strain on the fingers and wrist that they become inflamed, for example, when typing on a computer or smartphone. They can also swell and make the fingers less mobile. A similar thing can happen to the ankle joint if it is overstressed, for example by walking for long periods without prior preparation.

Conservative treatment with immobilization, painkillers and physical therapy is often enough to make tendonitis disappear again. If work has caused tendonitis, workplace adjustments such as an ergonomic computer mouse may also be useful. If sufferers wonder if adjustments might be helpful, they can seek advice from an occupational therapist, for example.

How to recognize tendonitis

Tendonitis is easy to recognize. Anyone who feels a stabbing or pulling pain in the joints may be suffering from such an inflammation. If it is already a neglected or chronic condition, pain occurs not only with movement but also at rest. Other symptoms may include redness, swelling, or friction noises when the joint moves.

In most cases, tendonitis occurs when movements are repeated incorrectly over a long period of time or when the joints are suddenly subjected to heavy loads. In both cases, there is tension that can become painful. For example, someone who has helped with a move and feels a twitch in the wrist the next day may have tendonitis. Playing a musical instrument for a long time or a sport like tennis can also cause overexcitation, which can turn into pain. At the other extreme are weakening tendons and muscles that don’t exercise often enough or on one side.

Most often, we move our hands and fingers when we work on a computer or use a cell phone. Tired muscles become susceptible to tendonitis and their strength and mobility decrease, especially as we age. In addition, if the workplace is not ergonomically designed, the tendon sheaths can be incorrectly stressed, which in turn can lead to chronic inflammation.

Optimal treatment of tendonitis

The optimal treatment of tendonitis of the hands and other parts of the body depends on how advanced the disease is. In the acute stage of inflammation, it can often be useful to avoid repetitive motion and immobilize the affected joint. In addition, physiotherapy can help relieve pain through targeted stretching exercises, myofascial relaxation techniques, massage and kinesio-taping. If sufferers are experiencing tendonitis of the elbow, forearm, wrist or ankle, they should make an appointment with a therapist directly.

Physiotherapy is considered truly universal among treatment approaches, as it can be used as an alternative or adjunct in almost all areas of medicine. This makes it a versatile and comprehensive treatment concept for a wide range of applications.