Stenosing tenosynovitis

Overview
Stenosing tenosynovitis is the progressive restriction of the sheath surrounding a tendon, causing inflammation (tenosynovitis).

Two common diagnoses fall into this category: DeQuervain's Syndrome and trigger finger. Stenosing tenosynovitis occurs more often in hand and the wrist than anywhere else in the body. When extensor pollicis brevis and the abductor pollicis longus tendons in the first dorsal compartment are affected, the condition is known as de Quervain's disease. When the long flexor tendons are involved, trigger thumb, trigger finger or snapping finger occurs. Less often, the tensor pollicis longus may be affected at the level of Lister's tubercles. Any of the other tendons that pass beneath the dorsal wrist retinaculum may also be involved.