Hand tendinitis is an inflammation that occurs in the tendons of the hands, located in the dorsal or ventral part of the hand. Excessive use and repeated movements can cause tendinitis, developing symptoms such as swelling, tingling, burning and pain in the hands, even with small and light movements.
The individuals most affected by this type of tendonitis are cleaning women, seamstresses, bricklayers, painters, people who work typing for many hours at a time, assembly line workers, who perform the same task for hours, people who use the computer mouse a lot and all those who perform tasks related to the frequent and repetitive use of their hands.
Main symptoms
Signs and symptoms that may indicate inflammation in the tendons of the hands may be:
- Localized pain in the hands;
- Weakness in the hands, with difficulty holding a glass full of water;
- Pain when rotating your hands, such as when opening a door handle.
When these symptoms are frequent, it is advisable to see a physiotherapist or orthopedist to confirm the diagnosis through specific tests carried out in the office and in some cases it may be necessary to take an x-ray. Pain provocation tests are an excellent tool that the physiotherapist can use to identify the exact location of the pain and its amplitude.
How the treatment is carried out
Treatment can be done with ice packs, use of anti-inflammatories, muscle relaxants recommended by the doctor and some physiotherapy sessions to relieve pain and discomfort, combating inflammation, improving hand movement and the person’s quality of life. .
The treatment time varies from person to person, and if the injury is treated at the onset of symptoms, it is possible to achieve a cure in a few weeks, but if the person only seeks medical or physiotherapeutic help after months or years of symptoms taking hold. , recovery may be prolonged. Check out more details on the treatment for tendonitis.
1. Rest
It is important to avoid joint wear and tear on the tendons, giving the necessary rest, so whenever possible avoid straining the muscles and try to use a rigid splint to immobilize the hand and consider the possibility of taking time off from work for a few days.
2. Apply ice
You can apply ice packs to the painful area 3 to 4 times a day because the cold reduces pain and swelling, relieving tendonitis symptoms.
3. Using medicine
Medications should only be used for 7 days to avoid stomach problems and taking a gastric protector on an empty stomach such as omeprazole can be useful to protect the stomach walls to prevent medical gastritis.
4. Anti-inflammatory ointments
The doctor may also recommend the use of anti-inflammatory ointments such as Cataflan, Biofenac or Gelol, performing a brief massage on the site of pain until the product is completely absorbed.
5. Do physical therapy
Physiotherapy should preferably be carried out daily to combat symptoms and cure tendinitis faster. The physiotherapist may recommend the use of ice, devices such as tens and ultrasound to combat pain and inflammation, as well as stretching and muscle strengthening exercises because when muscles and tendons are properly strong and with good range of motion, there is less chance of tendonitis. .
6. Food
You should prefer anti-inflammatory and healing foods like turmeric and boiled eggs to speed up healing.
See a specific technique against tendonitis and how nutrition can help in the following video with physiotherapist Marcelle Pinheiro and nutritionist Tatiana Zanin:
When to have surgery
When previous treatments are not sufficient to control symptoms and cure tendinitis, the orthopedist may recommend surgery to shave the tendons, eliminating localized nodules, thus reducing the thickness of the affected tendon. However, after surgery it is generally necessary to return to physiotherapy sessions.
Check out the signs of tendonitis improving and worsening here.
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