The root in the medical term tenosynovitis means

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Trigger finger occurs when the pulley at the base of the finger becomes too thick and then constricts around the tendon. As a result, it can be hard to move the tendon, and you may feel pain, popping, or a feeling of resistance when you try to straighten the finger. When this happens, the tendon may swell and cause pain, and this can happen repeatedly over time. In some cases, the tendon becomes locked, and it may be hard to move the finger at all.

The medical term for trigger finger is stenosing tenosynovitis.

What does “stenosing” mean?

Stenosing derives from the word stenosis, which is defined as an abnormal narrowing or contraction of a body passage or opening.

Other types of stenoses as used in the medical sense include aortic stenosis, pulmonary stenosis, spinal stenosis, and tracheal stenosis, among many others.

What does “tenosynovitis” mean?

“Teno” refers to tendon. “Synovitis” refers to inflammation of a synovial membrane, which contains synovial fluid. Synovial fluid is a lubricating fluid secreted by the tendon sheath, which is what allows a healthy finger to move properly.

Tenosynovitis, therefore, literally means “inflammation of a tendon,” as well as its sheath.

It typically occurs in the hands, wrists, feet, and ankles due to intense, repetitive use, such as when playing a piano. In addition to overuse, it may occur due to an injury that leads to infection, as well as tuberculous or gonorrheal infection.

Combine it all together, and you get stenosing tenosynovitis: inflammation of a tendon that causes abnormal narrowing or contraction.

Tendons are strong cords of tissue that connect muscles to bones. Tendonitis is when a tendon is inflamed. It can happen to any tendon in the body. When a tendon is inflamed, it can cause swelling, pain, and discomfort. Another problem called tenosynovitis is linked to tendonitis. This is the inflammation of the lining of the tendon sheath around a tendon. Usually, the sheath itself is inflamed, but both the sheath and the tendon can be inflamed at the same time.

What causes tendonitis and tenosynovitis?

The cause of tendonitis and tenosynovitis is often not known. They may be caused by strain, overuse, injury, or too much exercise. Tendonitis may also be related to a disease such as diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, or infection.

Types of tendonitis and tenosynovitis

Common types of these tendon problems include:

• Lateral epicondylitis. This is most often known as tennis elbow. It causes pain in the backside of the elbow and forearm, along the thumb side when the arm is alongside the body with the thumb turned away. The pain is caused by damage to the tendons that bend the wrist back and away from the palm.

• Medial epicondylitis. This is most often known as golfer's or baseball elbow. It causes pain from the elbow to the wrist on the palm side of the forearm. The pain is caused by damage to the tendons that bend the wrist toward the palm.

• Rotator cuff tendonitis. This is also known as biceps tendonitis. It’s a shoulder disorder. It causes inflammation of the shoulder capsule and related tendons.

• DeQuervain's tenosynovitis. This is the most common type of tenosynovitis disorder. It causes swelling in the tendon sheath of the tendons of the thumb.

• Trigger finger or trigger thumb. This is a type of tenosynovitis. The tendon sheath becomes inflamed and thickened. This makes it hard to extend or flex the finger or thumb. The finger or thumb may lock or "trigger" suddenly.

Bicep Tendonitis

This condition is an inflammation of a part of the tendon that connects the biceps muscle to the radius bone at the elbow.

Tricep Tendonitis

This condition is an inflammation of the triceps tendon, which connects the triceps muscle to the elbow. Triceps tendonitis causes pain and limits movement in the arm.

Symptoms of tendonitis and tenosynovitis

Symptoms may include:

• Pain in the tendon when moved

• Swelling from fluid and inflammation

• A grating feeling when moving the joint

The symptoms of tendonitis can be like other health problems. Make sure to talk with a healthcare provider for a diagnosis.

Diagnosing tendonitis and tenosynovitis

Your healthcare provider will ask about your health history and give you a physical exam. You may have tests to check for other problems that may be causing your symptoms. The tests may include:

• Joint aspiration. The healthcare provider uses a needle to take a small amount of fluid from the joint. The fluid is tested to check for gout or signs of an infection.

• X-ray. A small amount of radiation is used to make an image. Tendons can’t be seen on an X-ray, but they can show bone. This test can check for arthritis.

  What does the root in the term tenosynovitis mean?

  ten- (from Greek tenont-, ténōn "sinew, tendon") + -o- + synovitis — more at tendon.

  What does stenosing tenosynovitis mean in medical terms?

  Trigger finger is a condition affecting tendons that flex the fingers and thumb, typically resulting in a sensation of locking or catching when you bend and straighten your digits. Other symptoms may include pain and stiffness in the fingers and thumb. The condition is also known as stenosing tenosynovitis.

  Is tenosynovitis the same as tendonitis?

  Tendinitis is a condition in which a tendon is inflamed, causing swelling and pain. Tendons are strong cords of tissue that connect muscles to bones. Tenosynovitis is a condition that's linked to tendinitis. It occurs when the lining of the sheath around a tendon is inflamed.

  What is tendovaginitis?

  the swelling of both a tendon and its sheath.