How to Deal With Your Flexor Tendonitis

New York Sports Medicine Institute, orthopedic surgeon in Scarsdale NY to treat Flexor Tendonitis

Are you in need of an orthopedic surgeon in Scarsdale, NY to treat your flexor tendonitis? Our team at NYSMI can help. Contact our office today and continue reading. 

A tendon is tissue that acts as a bridge between muscles and bones. When it becomes inflamed and/or injured is when it is considered tendonitis. One of the more important tendons in your body are the flexor tendons. Your flexor tendons are located on the inside of your hand and when you bend your fingers. An orthopedic surgeon in Scarsdale NY is here to help you. New York Sports Medicine Institute provides a wide range of highly specialized treatments to properly evaluate and treat their patients. 

Types of Tendonitis 

Everyone’s body contains many types of tendons, thus there are many different types of tendonitis. Tendonitis can happen in every tendon in your body if it is overworked. Tendons can be overworked through strenuous exercise or just use over time. However, these are the most common cases: 

  • Golfer’s elbow 
  • Tennis elbow 
  • Achilles tendonitis 
  • Jumper’s knee 
  • Swimmer’s shoulder 
  • Tendonitis of the wrist and/or hand 

Causes 

Flexor tendonitis can occur when there is too much strain in your wrists or hands. It may make it both painful and difficult to bend your fingers or move your hands in certain ways. This tends to happen from repetition of a particular movement, or physical activity and sports. 

Prevention

There are several ways that can help prevent the formation of tendonitis. To reduce the risk of developing tendonitis, an orthopedic surgeon recommends the following: 

  • Ease up. Avoid activities that cause strain 
  • Rest. Do not do the same activity for prolonged periods 
  • Mix it up. Change the activity if it requires repetitive motions 
  • Improve your technique. Get instructions when beginning a new activity to ensure you are performing it properly 
  • Stretch. It is good to stretch afterwards to maximize the range of your joints 
  • Strengthen your muscles. Prepare them to withstand any stress 

What to Expect When Being Diagnosed

Tendonitis is typically diagnosed with a physical examination as well as asking various questions about your medical history. From there, they may take an x-ray, MRI, or ultrasound to evaluate the level the tendon is affected. 

Symptoms

A few common signs of flexor tendonitis are the following: 

  • Inability to bend any or all fingers 
  • Numbness in the fingertip 
  • Tenderness in your palm 
  • Mild swelling of the hand and/or fingers 

Treatments

If you have any of those symptoms and believe you may have flexor tendonitis, here are some ways you can treat it according to New York Sports Medicine Institute. It is important to be aware that if tendonitis is left untreated, you will be more prone to injuries and that the tendon can potentially tear. If you are unsure of which treatment is best for you, make sure to contact an orthopedic surgeon in Scarsdale NY to set up an appointment to determine the best course of action. 

  • Physical Therapy 
    • Specific exercises that stretch and strengthen the tendon
  • Home Remedies 
    • Rest 
      • Avoid strenuous activities 
    • Ice 
      • To decrease swelling and pain, ice for 20 minutes 
    • Compression 
      • Use tight wraps or braces to compress to area and swelling
  • Medications 
    • Pain relievers 
      • Aleve, Advil, Motrin, and others 
    • Corticosteroids 
      • Cortisone reduces inflammation which can ease pain 
    • Platelet-rich Plasma (PRP) 
      • Takes a sample of blood, spins it, and is injected into the area to induce healing 
  • Surgical Procedures 
    • Dry needling 
      • This procedure makes small holes in the tendons to stimulate healing 
    • Ultrasonic treatment 
      • This procedure uses a small incision to use a small device that removes scar tissue 
    • Surgery 
      • If the tendon has torn, surgical repair may be needed 

Contact Our Orthopedic Surgeon in Scarsdale, NY

If you are looking for an orthopedic surgeon in Scarsdale NY, New York Sports Medicine Institute is the place for you. We take pride in providing the highest quality care for our patients and ensuring that they are satisfied when they exit our doors. It is our goal to allow our patients to live pain-free lives and be rid of injuries. We care so much for our patients and hope that we can help treat you too. To learn more, please contact us today and visit our website. 

NYSMI