Also known as tenosynovitis, wrist tendonitis is a condition in which the sufferer experiences inflammation and irritation in one or more of the tendons that surround the wrist joint. Typically, the condition occurs in tendons that cross one another or are stretched over areas of bone and sees localized soft-tissue swelling and the tightening of tendon sheaths followed by considerable discomfort.

Causes of the condition are varied however over or improper use of the area is a common factor, while use of poorly designed equipment or machinery can also play a significant role in the development of the condition. Wrist tendonitis can often be treated easily if caught early and causal factors are recognized and addressed. However, for those with advanced symptoms, surgery is sometimes the only option.

Procedure information
Surgery is normally a final resort for patients with wrist tendonitis since there is a variety of other less invasive approaches to treating the condition. When surgery is opted for, patients undergo a procedure to remove any inflammatory tissues that may be restricting tendon movement and to repair torn or shortened tendons. The duration of the procedure is dependent on the complexity and progress of the condition, but it can generally be completed within a couple of hours.

Recovery time
In most cases, recovery takes between 3 and 6 weeks based on a standard operation to remove aggravated tissues. However, if tendons require repair due to tearing or shortening, then this can extend the period to between 6 weeks and 6 months.

Once basic recovery is complete, patients should ideally undergo a rehabilitation program involving exercises to improve strength and range of motion. Such a program would invariably last no more than a couple of months with a period of less than a month being typical.