Problems related to the hands or wrists may not always be addressed with cosmetic surgery, and may require specialized treatment. One such condition is wrist tendonitis, which is a common problem marked by inflammation and irritation of the tendons around the wrist joint.
Dr. Asaf Yalif is a trained hand surgeon as well as plastic surgeon providing cutting edge procedures to treatment conditions such as wrist tendonitis. Dr. Yalif provides these treatments to patients in Atlanta, Roswell, Woodstock, and surrounding locations.
Where does it Occur?
Many tendons surround the wrist joint. Wrist tendonitis will generally occur in one of these tendons, but it may also involve multiple tendons in some cases. Wrist tendonitis often occurs at points where the tendons cross each other or pass over a bony area.
The tendon sheaths contain a fluid called synovial fluid. When this fluid becomes inflamed, the condition of tenosynovitis or tendonitis is created. Although any tendon can become symptomatic, but tendonitis usually occurs in a few specific tendons as an outcome of the anatomy and the specific hand-related activities an individual performs.
Symptoms
Pain in the wrist is the most common symptom of wrist tendonitis. Other key symptoms include:
- Swelling in the wrist area
- Redness and warmth of the tendons
- Grinding sensation when the tendons move
The hand surgery and plastic surgery expert will diagnose wrist tendonitis by identifying the characteristic signs. Depending on the specific tendon that is inflamed, the surgeon may perform tests that involve stretching of the specific tendons to locate the exact source of inflammation. Dr. Yalif receives patients from Atlanta, Roswell, Woodstock, and nearby areas for wrist tendonitis treatment.
Treatments
The provider may recommend an appropriate treatment plan to address the condition of wrist tendonitis:
Immobilization
The wrist may be placed in a cast or splint as a first step. When the painful tendon is rested, the inflammation will usually go down.
Ice Pack Application
Ice therapy may be used to cool inflammation and stimulate blood flow to the area of tendonitis. The earlier this treatment is start, the more effective it may be.
Anti-inflammatory Drugs
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can help to manage pain symptoms, and more importantly, help to treat the wrist tendonitis. The medications can reduce swelling and inflammation of the soft tissue.
Cortisone Injection
In case of a severe condition of wrist tendonitis, cortisone injections may be recommended. This is a powerful anti-inflammatory treatment that involves directly delivery of the medication into the site of inflammation. The extent of treatment should be carefully monitored because it has steroids.
Surgery
When all other treatment approaches prove to be ineffective in resolving the wrist tendonitis, surgery may be the only option left. Surgery can be used to release the area of tight tendon sheath that is causing the difficult and painful tendon movements.
Sometimes the surgeon may decide to remove the inflammatory tissue in order to create extra space for the tendon to move freely. Patients should also discuss with the surgeon about steps to prevent future flare-ups of wrist tendonitis.
For more information about the plastic surgery procedures and treatments performed by Cosmetic Surgeon Dr. Asaf Yalif please call us at 404.822.4402 or click here to schedule a consultation. Offices located in Atlanta, Roswell, and Woodstock, Georgia.
