Proliferative extensor tenosynovitis of the wrist in the absence of rheumatoid arthritis

Tendon: Principles of Healing and Repair

Tendon stores, releases, and dissipates energy to efficiently transmit contractile forces from muscle to bone. Tendon injury is exceedingly common, with the spectrum ranging from chronic tendinopathy to acute tendon rupture. Tendon generally develops according to three main steps: collagen fibrillogenesis, linear growth, and lateral growth. In the setting of injury, it also repairs and regenerates in three overlapping steps (inflammation, proliferation, and remodeling) with tendon-specific durations. Acute injury to the flexor and extensor tendons of the hand are of particular clinical importance to plastic surgeons, with tendon-specific treatment guided by the general principle of minimum protective immobilization followed by hand therapy to overcome potential adhesions. Thorough knowledge of the underlying biomechanical principles of tendon healing is required to provide optimal care to patients presenting with tendon injury.

[Tendinopathies - Common Diagnoses in Hand Surgery]

Tendinopathies - Common Diagnoses in Hand Surgery Abstract. Tendinopathies are among the most frequent reasons for consulting a hand surgeon. The diagnosis can usually be made clinically. A supplementary ultrasound examination helps to visualize the pathology. Most of these diseases respond to non-surgical treatment. If surgical treatment is necessary, it can usually be performed as an outpatient procedure under local anesthesia. This article provides an overview of the most common tendinopathies of the hand and wrist, their diagnosis and treatment.

Surgical Treatment of Tenosynovitis of Extensor Tendons of Fourth Compartment of Wrist in Nonrheumatoid Patients-A Case Series of 10 Patients in India

Purpose Proliferative tenosynovitis of the extensor tendons is a very common painful wrist condition that can occur both in presence and absence of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). This study aims to evaluate a series of patients without RA, having extensor tendon tenosynovitis, its pathology, and results of surgical treatment. Materials and Methods A consecutive series of 10 patients without RA, having tenosynovitis of fourth extensor compartment were treated surgically and evaluated in the study. All patients were operated upon by a single surgeon, and intraoperative specimens were sent for histopathologic evaluation by a single pathologist. The functional outcome of the patients was evaluated by comparing the post- and preoperative wrist extension. Results All patients presented with painful mass over dorsum of the wrist, overlying the fourth extensor compartment. On clinical examination, there was severe limitation of active wrist extension with extended fingers and improvement in wrist extension on flexing the fingers. All patients had significant improvement in wrist extension after surgery. The histopathologic examination of the intraoperative samples revealed similar findings of tenosynovitis in all cases, which was different than that seen in RA. Conclusion This study reveals a distinct tenosynovitis in a group of patients without RA resembling traumatic tenosynovitis on histopathologic examination. Radiologic and intraoperative findings reveal presence of nodular mass in the affected tendon due to proliferative tenosynovitis, which blocks effective proximal excursion of the tendon, leading to decreased wrist extension. This study shows that surgical treatment in the form of tenosynovectomy gives excellent relief to these patients. Type of Study This is a Level IV, therapeutic study.

Tenosynovitis of the Hand and Wrist: A Critical Analysis Review

Trigger FingerTrigger finger is common in patients with diabetes.Corticosteroid injections are effective in about 60% to 92% of cases.Proximal interphalangeal joint contracture may occur in long-standing cases.The outcomes of open and percutaneous releases are similar; however, surgeons are split on preferences. Intersection SyndromeThe classic finding is crepitus with wrist motion at the distal one-third of the radial aspect of the forearm. Extensor Pollicis Longus (EPL) TenosynovitisCorticosteroid injections should be used with caution because of the potential for rupture.EPL tenosynovitis is very rare. de Quervain DisorderThis condition is common in postpartum women.A positive Finkelstein test is considered to be pathognomonic of de Quervain disorder, but care should be taken to differentiate this condition from thumb carpometacarpal arthritis.Corticosteroid injections are effective in about 80% of cases.Patients in whom corticosteroid injections fail to provide relief of symptoms frequently have a separate extensor pollicis brevis (EPB) compartment.The abductor pollicis longus (APL) tendon has multiple slips; care should be taken not to confuse one of these slips as the EPB.Traction on the APL pulls up the thumb metacarpal but not the thumb tip.Traction on the EPB extends the thumb metacarpophalangeal joint.Care should be taken to avoid injury to the sensory branch of the radial nerve. Fourth Compartment TenosynovitisThis uncommon condition is most often seen in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.The condition involves a large diffuse area, as opposed to the compact dorsal ganglion cyst.

Extensor Tendoscopy of the Wrist

Extensor tenosynovitis of the wrist can lead to rupture of the extensor tendons. Extensor tenosynovectomy is indicated if the tenosynovitis cannot be controlled by conservative measures. Open tenosynovectomy requires extensive dissection of soft tissue, including the extensor retinaculum. This article describes extensor tendoscopy of the wrist. This technique allows approach to the extensor compartments with small incisions and minimal soft tissue dissection. It is indicated when extensor tenosynovitis persists despite adequate medical treatments including medications, immobilization, and steroid injection. Synovectomy of the extensor compartments can be performed with preservation of the extensor retinaculum. This technique is contraindicated if the wrist cannot be flexed or there is severe tendinopathy of the extensor tendon that may need open reconstruction. The purpose of this technical note was to describe a minimally invasive approach of complete synovectomy of the extensor compartments with preservation of the extensor compartment.

Tendinopathies of the Hand and Wrist

Tendinopathies involving the hand and wrist are common. Many are diagnosed easily, and in many cases, the management is straightforward, provided the pathology and principles are understood. Common conditions involving the tendons of the hand and wrist include trigger finger, tenosynovitis of the first through sixth dorsal extensor compartments, and flexor carpi radialis tendonitis. Management strategies include nonsurgical treatments, such as splinting, injection, or therapy, and surgical techniques such as tendon release.

Hyperparathyroidism-related extensor tenosynovitis at the wrist: a general review of the literature

Extensor tenosynovitis often occurs accompanying with rheumatoid arthritis, gout, trauma, mycobacterium and dialysis-related amyloidosis. However, there is no recognition of extensor tenosynovitis accompanying with hyperparathyroidism. The purpose of this general review was to describe the clinical condition and to report the results of surgical intervention in the extensor tenosynovitis at the wrist related to hyperparathyroidism. Hyperparathyroidism is thought to be a rare disease in adult. Although renal symptoms are the commonest symptom, musculoskeletal complaints also occur in hyperparathyroidism. From our general review, hyperparathyroidism deserves consideration in the differential diagnosis of extensor tenosynovitis at the wrist.

Tendon disorders of the hand and wrist

The terminology used to describe most common tendon disorders in the hand and wrist suggests that they are inflammatory in nature, although current evidence indicates that mechanical and degenerative factors are more important. Corticosteroid injections provide relief in 60% or more of cases; however, the duration of their effectiveness remains uncertain. Surgical release of the stenotic pulley or sheath is curative in well over 90% of cases; complications of surgery are rare, and relief is long-lasting. Enlightened management of these common problems demands evidence-based guidelines defining indications for surgery that will maximize outcomes and minimize costs.