Wrist Tendonitis

Wrist tendonitis is one of the most common causes of wrist pain. This condition is primarily characterized by inflammation and irritation of the tendons surrounding the wrist joint. Wrist tendonitis is also called tenosynovitis, and it usually affects one of the wrist tendons, but it may also involve two or more tendons. In most cases, wrist tendonitis develops at those points where the tendons cross each other or pass over a bony prominence.

As wrist tendons pass by the wrist joint, they slide through sheaths that contain fluid. These tendon sheaths are designed to allow the tendons to glide effortlessly in a relatively low-friction manner.

Wrist tendonitis becomes a problem when the tendon sheath becomes thickened and begins to constrict the smooth gliding motion of the tendons. The accompanying inflammation also makes the movements painful.