What is a flexor tendon sheath?

The tendons on the palm side bend the fingers. These are known as the flexor tendons. When you bend or straighten your finger, the flexor tendons slide through snug tunnels, called tendon sheaths, that keep the tendons in place next to the bones. Tendon sheaths keep the tendons in place.

What is a tendon sheath?

Medical Definition of tendon sheath : a synovial sheath covering a tendon (as in the hand or foot)

What is a tendon sheath and what is its function?

A tendon sheath, which is a thin layer of tissue, surrounds each tendon in the body. The tendon sheath can also be called synovial lining or fibrous sheath. Tendon sheaths help protect tendons from abrasive damage as they move.

What is the purpose of tendon sheath?

In these places, the tendons are often protected by layers of connective tissue known as tendon sheaths. Tendon sheaths are filled with a lubricating fluid, allowing the tendons to move smoothly and freely through them.

What is the sheath around a tendon called?

A protective sheath known as the synovium covers tendons. This sheath produces synovial fluid, which keeps the tendon lubricated. Injury to the tendon may result in the malfunction of the sheath.

What is common flexor sheath?

Anatomical terminology. The common synovial sheath for the flexor tendons or the ulnar bursa is a synovial sheath in the carpal tunnel of the human hand. It contains tendons of the flexor digitorum superficialis and the flexor digitorum profundus, but not the flexor pollicis longus.

What is flexor tenosynovitis?

Flexor tenosynovitis is an inflammation of the tendon sheath that can be caused by either introduction of infection or various inflammatory conditions ranging from autoimmune arthropathies to crystal joint depositions.

What causes flexor tenosynovitis?

How is flexor tenosynovitis treated?

Treatment for rheumatoid inflammatory flexor tenosynovitis includes ice, NSAIDs, rest, splinting, hydroxychloroquine, gold, penicillamine, and methotrexate. Persistent cases may require oral steroid treatment.

What is inflammation of the tendon sheath?

When a tendon is inflamed, it’s called tendonitis. It can happen to any tendon in the body. An inflamed tendon 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.

What causes inflammation of the tendon sheath?

What causes tendon sheath inflammation? Tendon sheath inflammation is typically the result of injury to the tendon or surrounding muscle or bone. It’s not limited to athletes and appears in people who perform a variety of repetitive-motion activities, such as assembly-line work, weeding, and typing.

What is a flexor sheath infection?

The Kanavel cardinal signs of flexor sheath infection are a finger held in slight flexion, fusiform swelling of the affected digit, tenderness along the flexor tendon sheath, and pain with passive extension of the digit. A suspicion of flexor sheath infection warrants urgent referral to a hand unit.

Where are the flexor tendon sheaths located on the hand?

The flexor tendon sheaths of the remaining three fingers are separate. The radial bursa extends for the entire length of the flexor pollicis longus tendon and ends just proximal to the flexor retinaculum. The radial & ulnar bursa communicate at the level of the wrist joint in almost 50% of individuals. Dorsal carpal tendinous sheaths

Where is the FPL tendon sheath located in the thumb?

The FPL tendon flexes the distal phalanx of the thumb. This tendon sheath is sometimes referred to as the radial bursa. The flexor digitorum superficialis and flexor digitorum profundus run together within a common synovial sheath of the flexor muscles, which is incomplete on the radial side.

How does the tendon sheath protect the tendons?

Tendon sheaths help protect tendons from abrasive damage as they move. Synovial fluid, produced by the tendon sheath, maintains a barrier of moisture, which protects and lubricates tendons and their tendon sheaths. Overuse and traumatic injuries can cause pain or swelling of the tendon sheath, often requiring physical rest and/or additional

How are the tendons of the flexor tendon repaired?

Flexor tendons are repaired with a combination of core sutures and epitendinous sutures.3 It has been advocated that at least four core strands should be placed to enable early active motion. 4 The strength of the surgical repair is roughly proportional to the number of core sutures.