What is tenosynovitis?

Tenosynovitis is an inflammation or injury to the synovial sheath surrounding the tendon. These sheaths secrete synovial fluid which acts as a lubricant to reduce friction during movement. Repetitive motion using the hands and wrists may provoke an excessive secretion of synovial fluid, with the sheath becoming swollen and painful. Repetitions exceeding 1,500 to 2,000 per hour are known to produce symptoms associated with tendon sheath irritation in the hands. Tenosynovitis often affects workers in meatpacking and poultry processing. Also those whose tasks require buffing, grinding, sanding, sawing, and punch press operations.