Symptoms

The typical symptoms of tendon inflammation are mainly pain. These occur in the area of the affected tendon on the forearm. Initially, it only hurts with certain movements, but once the inflammation is more advanced, the forearm can also hurt at rest.

In addition, the affected area can be swollen and reddened and feel warm. In some cases, a crunch can be heard and felt during certain movements. If the tendon inflammation is not sufficiently cured and the patient does not relieve the forearm sufficiently, the inflammation can become chronic and last for several months.

Tendinitis on the upper side

Tendinitis on the upper side is caused by overloading the extensor muscles on the forearm or by abduction and adduction of the wrist. Frequently, craftsmen or athletes are affected. Patients often feel pain when the wrist is stretched and a stretch on the upper side. In the case of severe tendonitis, redness or swelling can also occur. The wrist should be kept still for treatment.

Tendinitis on the underside

Tendinitis of the tendon sheath on the underside is caused by overloading the flexor muscles on the forearm. Athletes are often affected. Patients feel pain when bending the wrist and a stretch on the underside.

In addition, the closure of the fist is painful. In the case of severe tendonitis, redness or swelling can also occur. The wrist should be kept still for treatment.

Treatment

In the case of tendonitis of the forearm, which is characterized by severe pain, cooling the affected area is the first step. Immobilization also helps to alleviate the pain, whereby the affected person usually keeps the arm still on his own. Nevertheless, additional immobilization should be carried out with the help of a splint or plaster cast.

A compression bandage is useful in the case of severe swelling. Raising the affected arm also often relieves the pain. If a certain activity is known to be the cause of the inflammation, it should be avoided for a longer period of time.

If it is an activity that the patient performs as part of his or her job, the patient should also consider how he or she can make the requirement less stressful in the future. Ergonomically shaped computer keyboards can often be helpful in office work.In addition, anti-inflammatory ointments (e.g. Voltarensalbe) can be applied to the affected area in the acute stage. In addition, anti-inflammatory drugs can also be taken in tablet form.

Ibuprofen or diclofenac are suitable here. If the pain is very severe, a cortisone preparation can be injected directly into the affected tendon using a syringe. This works very quickly and efficiently.

If the tendon inflammation has already become chronic, often only surgical therapy can help. This consists of a splitting of the tendon sheath, which is narrowed by the ongoing inflammation. This gives the tendon more room to slide through and reduces irritation.

For underlying rheumatic diseases, the therapy consists of the treatment of the underlying disease. Athletes and musicians should do specific exercises to strengthen the muscles so that a relapse does not occur. Longer warm-ups and slow resumption of training should also be observed.

In case of localized pain, the application of an ointment with anti-inflammatory active ingredients can alleviate the symptoms. In most cases, an ointment with the active ingredient diclofenac is used for this purpose (e.g. Voltarensalbe). The affected area should be rubbed with the ointment three times a day.

The ointment should be massaged in well. Taping of the forearm serves to relieve and support, but not for total immobilization. In the case of a severe tendonitis of the forearm, only complete immobilization will initially help.

Once the inflammation has subsided and the strain on the forearm can be resumed, the application of kinesiotape can serve to stabilize it. Two strips of the tape are required for this purpose. The first one encloses the middle and ring finger and runs over the back of the hand to the forearm.

The second strip is stuck across the wrist. A bandage for the treatment of tendonitis of the forearm can be a useful therapeutic method. It provides more stability in the forearm and, by immobilizing the forearm, protects the tendons, muscles and joints.

It is used especially on the wrist. It can also be used preventively, for example during sports, to counteract tendosynovitis. There are different types of bandages, a doctor or medical technician should be consulted to decide which is the right one.

Depending on which symptoms of tendonitis are the most common, different homeopathic remedies can be used. For pain after overexertion and improvement through rest, Arnica can be taken. Rhus toxicodendron can be helpful for pain that occurs mainly at the beginning of movement but subsides afterwards. Bryonia can be used if the affected area is very swollen and reddened.