Finger Tendonitis

A tendon is a fibrous structure which acts as a connector between the muscle and the bone. Inflammation, irritation and swelling of a tendon is known as tendonitis. Every finger has two tendons. Inability to bend one or more joints of a finger along with pain indicates finger tendonitis. It is also known as flexor tendonitis. There are a number of causes of tendonitis of fingers. The most common among them is overuse.

Finger Tendonitis Symptoms

The symptoms are:

• Pain and tenderness in the entire flexor tendon. The pain is closer to the joints.
• Aggravation of pain occurs due to repetitive activity or movement. Sometimes there can be pain, when the person tries to bend the finger or also against resistance.
• Swelling and inflammation at the spot where the tendon goes into the finger bone.
• Aggravation of pain at night is another symptom.

Causes of Finger Tendonitis

Swelling of the tendons in the finger can be caused due to the tendency to collect fluid around the tendons and joints. Repetitive and/or strenuous activity is another common cause of tendonitis of a finger. Injury to the finger tendon can also give rise to tendonitis.

Finger Tendonitis Treatment

The main aim of the treatment is to relieve pain and reduce the inflammation of the tendons. Let's take a look at some treatment methods which can help you alleviate the condition.

• Rest is the most important treatment method which you will have to implement if you want to relieve yourself of the condition.
• Application of ice pack will also be able to soothe the condition. Ice pack can also be alternated with warm compress. Alternate ice pack and warm compress helps in increasing blood supply to the area which helps in the healing process.
• Avoiding contact with the finger and keeping it on an elevation also proves to be beneficial in treating the condition. You may opt to keep the finger in a splint for 10 to 14 days.
• There is number of over-the-counter non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications available. However, you would want to consult your health care professional before you take any one of those.
• There are exercises for fingers affected by tendonitis which can also prove to be helpful in treating the condition.
• There are homeopathic medicines which are said to be useful in treating this condition. These medicines reduce the painful symptoms and also speed up the healing process.
• If the pain is unbearable and the condition does not subside, then surgery is the last option.

Finger Tendonitis Exercises

There are exercises which are helpful in treating tendonitis of fingers. I would, however, like to point out, that these are not strength testing exercises. Hence, you should perform these exercises gently. If you try all your might on these exercises, chances are that the condition may flare up. Let's see the exercises.

• To do the first exercise, hold your fingers facing upwards and gently pull back the large knuckles as much as you can.
• In the second exercise, fold your fist and touch all the fingers at the center of the palm. When you pull your fingers into a fist make sure that all the three finger joints are bent.
• The next exercise is similar to the second exercise. In this exercise, you will touch the fingers to the center of the palm but this time, do not fold the fingers; they should, instead, be straight.

If you do not find relief from this condition after a few days, it is recommended that you talk to your healthcare professional about the same. He will be able to judge the condition and chalk out a rehabilitation program for you.