August 5, 2020 at 3:47 pm · drsahai · 0 comments

Do You Have Carpal Tunnel or Tendon Inflammation

Tendon inflammation can occur in the soft tissues of the hand and wrist. And inflammation can cause pain and interfere with nearby joints. In fact, the symptoms of this inflammation can mimic carpal tunnel syndrome. To treat the injury effectively will first require identifying the correct diagnoses.

Tendon Inflammation Injuries

Injuries to tendons, in the hand or wrist, can cause tendon inflammation. The most common types of damage include:

Tenosynovitis: The synovial sheath that covers the tendon is inflamed.

Tendonitis: The tendons become inflamed.

Tendinosis: When tendons degenerate and become damaged.

The result of each of these is poor tendon function. It can no longer slide through the synovium. This causes pain and stiffness.

There are two tendon injuries that are often mistaken for carpal tunnel:

Dr. Quervain’s tenosynovitis: Occurs when two tendons on the thumb become inflamed. You will experience pain at the back of the thumb with movement. Specifically, it is painful to make a fist or move the wrist.

Trigger Finger: Inflammation of the tendon sheath can cause the tendon to catch. The finger gets stuck in a bent position and then snaps back. The thumb and ring fingers are the most affected with trigger finger.

Joint or Blood Vessel Problems

Some conditions involving the joints and blood vessels can mimic carpal tunnel. As a matter of fact, there are four in particular:

Compartment syndrome: There are protective covers over your nerves and blood vessels, called fascia. And the tissue within the fascia is called the compartment. This can swell as a result of injury or trauma. The pressure created can cut off the blood supply. This causes pain, tingling, and numbness. When this occurs in the hand or wrist, it resembles carpal tunnel syndrome.

Raynaud phenomenon: This occurs when blood vessels spasm and blood flow is cut off. This can happen in the fingers, nose, nose, and ears. When this happens, the skin turns white, then blue. Eventually, the skin will become red as blood returns. Cold temperatures can trigger this condition.

Arthritis: Arthritis in the wrist or hand occurs as joints degenerate. This can cause pain, weakness, stiffness, and even numbness. Joint pain is also common. Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis are the most common types. Osteoarthritis affects a single joint only. But rheumatoid arthritis can affect multiple joints simultaneously.

Pseudogout: The scientific name for pseudogout is calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate arthritis. It causes crystals to form in the joints. This causes pain, redness, swelling, and numbness. The wrist is commonly affected by pseudogout.

These conditions all have overlapping symptoms. So, you should seek medical help when experiencing wrist or hand pain. Tests such as electromyography and nerve conduction tests are performed. The cause of the pain needs to be identified. Then, appropriate treatment can help relieve pain and symptoms.

If you are experiencing hand/wrist pain call us at 888-409-8006. Our top hand specialist is here to help.

Tags: carpal tunnel, Tendon Categories: Wrist