Tenosynovitis
Tenosynovitis is inflammation of the sheath surrounding a tendon.
When to get help quickly: Urgent review is important if there is severe swelling, fever, redness, rapidly worsening pain, or trouble moving the area because infection can sometimes be the cause.
Common symptoms
Common symptoms include pain along the tendon, swelling, warmth, pain with movement, and difficulty using the affected hand, wrist, foot, or other body part normally.
When imaging helps
Imaging helps when swelling or pain is persistent, infection is a concern, or doctors need to distinguish tendon sheath inflammation from a tear, cyst, or another soft tissue problem.
What radiology does
Ultrasound and MRI can show fluid, thickening, and active inflammation around the affected tendon.
What usually happens next
Treatment depends on the cause and may include rest, splinting, medicines, injections, antibiotics, or specialist review.
Seen this on your report?
Your doctor or the radiologist who wrote it can tell you what it means for you.