Tenosynovitis is inflammation of the sheath surrounding a tendon.
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.
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.
Ultrasound and MRI can show fluid, thickening, and active inflammation around the affected tendon.
Treatment depends on the cause and may include rest, splinting, medicines, injections, antibiotics, or specialist review.
This entry explains the condition. The next step is having a radiologist interpret your specific scan, not a general definition.