Etymed
tenosynovitis
Definition
Inflammation of the synovial sheath surrounding a tendon
Clinical context
A 28-year-old tennis player presents with painful swelling over the dorsum of the wrist that worsens with activity. Physical examination reveals tenderness along the extensor tendons with pain on passive flexion. The condition is diagnosed as tenosynovitis secondary to repetitive overhead motions. A 35-year-old diabetic patient presents with similar wrist pain and swelling, but with additional systemic symptoms including fever and malaise, indicating a more severe inflammatory process involving the tendon sheath.
Mnemonic
Tendons need synovial sheaths - think 'tenosynovitis' as 'tendon inflammation' with 'synovial' meaning 'sheath inflammation'