55-year-old Ms. Cheng is a manual laborer. Recently, she felt severe pain at the base of her right thumb and could not bend it freely. to straighten. And a finger movement is also accompanied by a snapping sound, and the symptoms are more obvious in the morning. It is useless to massage and moxibustion at home by yourself, especially affecting life.
Introduced by a friend, she came to the Chinese Medicine Health and Wellness Center of Zhaobaoshan Campus of Longsai Medical Group in Zhenhai District with an attitude of giving it a try. After a detailed examination by Dr. Zheng Lijun, she was diagnosed with stenosing tenosynovitis of the thumb. According to her current severity, a small needle knife was the first choice for treatment.
“The small needle knife is easy to operate, less traumatic, and less bleeding.” Dr. Zheng explained to Ms. Cheng carefully and eliminated her psychological fear. After local anesthesia, the needle was precisely positioned. After just a minute, Ms. Cheng’s thumb returned to function.
Dr. Zheng reminded that the wound should be kept dry within 72 hours after the operation; if the wound is not infected 3-5 days after the operation, moxibustion or infrared therapy can be used locally; Screws, peeling edamame, pushing windows with thumbs, etc.), it is recommended to wear a brace to fix it.
According to Dr. Zheng, the most common finger tenosynovitis is flexor tendon stenosing tenosynovitis, commonly known as “snapping finger” or “trigger finger”. It is a common and frequently-occurring disease that can occur in any finger joint. , Multiple thumbs, clinical manifestations of pain, limited activity, snapping, poor fine motor, etc., seriously affecting work, life and sleep. If not treated in time, there is a risk of developing permanent mobility problems.
From the point of view of the onset population, females are more than males, and it is common in middle-aged and elderly people. The incidence of thumb, middle finger and ring finger is higher. Tenosynovitis of the thumb can also be seen in infants and young children. In addition, diabetic patients are prone to simultaneous polydactyly tenosynovitis.
The common clinical tenosynovitis is mostly a chronic aseptic inflammatory change caused by the repeated friction and strain of the tendon in the tendon sheath. The affected fingers often experience local swelling, pain, and snapping or even twisting during active flexion and extension activities.
From the perspective of treatment methods, for cases with a short course of disease and mild symptoms, it is possible to use a brace to properly immobilize the thumb, change the mode of activity and habits that induce the disease, reduce cold stimulation, local hot compress, oral administration, External painkillers, acupuncture, manual massage, sealing and other treatments. Small needle knife is the first choice for pain accompanied by snapping or interlocking.
Dr. Zheng suggested that people who often use their hands, such as those who do housework for a long time, should pay attention to the correct posture of the fingers, and not to bend or stretch too hard. When working, you should maintain the correct posture, avoid excessive strain on your fingers, take regular breaks, and keep warm. If you have symptoms such as soreness, you should rest and see a doctor in time to prevent the condition from getting worse.
Ningbo Evening News reporter Lu Qiwen
Correspondent Guo Qiaoqiao Sun Fei