Styloid process stenosing tenosynovitis is caused by frequent activity of the thumb or wrist, which leads to long-term mutual and repeated friction between the abductor pollicis brevis and the extensor pollicis longus tendons in the tendinous sheath at the styloid process of the radius. The tendons at this location produce an aseptic inflammatory reaction, with local effusion, edema, and fibrosis. The wall of the sheath thickens, and the tendons become locally thickened, causing the tendons to be restricted in sliding within the sheath and resulting in clinical symptoms. The main clinical manifestations are prominence, pain at the styloid process, increased pain during wrist and thumb movement, local tenderness. The disease is more common in middle-aged and older women, more than men, and is prevalent in housewives and manual workers (such as textile workers, carpenters, and copyists, etc.). Women in the puerperium and perimenopausal period are more susceptible to the disease, with a slow onset.
1. What are the causes of styloid process tendinitis?
Frequent activity of the thumb or wrist causes the abductor pollicis brevis and the extensor pollicis longus tendons to rub against each other repeatedly in the tendinous sheath at the styloid process of the radius, leading to aseptic inflammatory reaction between the tendons and the sheath at this location, with local effusion, edema, and fibrosis. The wall of the sheath thickens, and the tendons become locally thickened, causing the tendons to be restricted in sliding within the sheath and resulting in the clinical symptoms.
3, Radial styloid tenosynovitis causes prominence and pain at the radial styloid process, which can radiate pain to the forearm and thumb, worsen pain when the wrist and thumb are moved, and cannot lift heavy objects. A few patients may have a popping sound.. What are the typical symptoms of radial styloid tenosynovitis
1, Prominence and pain at the radial styloid process, which can radiate pain to the forearm and thumb, worsen pain when the wrist and thumb are moved, and cannot lift heavy objects.
2, Marked tenderness at the radial styloid process, sometimes a hard nodule can be felt. There is slight restriction in the movement of the wrist and thumb.
3, Positive Finkelstein sign (Finkelstein sign).
4. How to prevent radial styloid tenosynovitis
Radial styloid tenosynovitis is mainly caused by frequent movement of the wrist and thumb, which leads to repeated friction of the tendons and tenosynovium at the radial styloid process, resulting in chronic inflammation and restricted movement of the tendons. Therefore, the key to preventing this disease is to avoid overexertion of the wrist and thumb. In daily life or work, attention should be paid to combining work and rest, and to avoid prolonged movement of the wrist and thumb as much as possible. Physical and drug treatments without surgery can usually alleviate symptoms or cure a few cases, and surgery is effective for refractory cases.
5. What laboratory tests are needed for radial styloid tenosynovitis
The diagnosis of radial styloid tenosynovitis is mainly made by asking about the condition, palpation and other methods to confirm the prominence and pain at the radial styloid process, which can radiate pain to the forearm and thumb, worsen pain when the wrist and thumb are moved, and cannot lift heavy objects. At the same time, X-ray and other equipment are used to clarify the condition.
