Are fasciitis and tenosynovitis the same thing?
Dec 05, 2022
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Lin Yunfei
Introduction
Fasciitis refers to inflammation of the fascia. Fasciitis differs from tenosynovitis: fasciitis occurs in the back and the soles of the feet, whereas tenosynovitis develops in the fingers and joint areas. Fasciitis presents as diffuse pain with cord-like local masses; tenosynovitis manifests as restricted joint movement and palpable painful nodules locally. Fasciitis can be managed with diclofenac sodium sustained-release tablets as directed by a physician; tenosynovitis may be treated with local steroid injections.
Fasciitis usually refers to inflammation of the fascia. Fasciitis and tenosynovitis are different conditions, differing in terms of affected sites, symptoms, treatment methods, and other aspects.
1. Different affected sites: Fasciitis commonly occurs in the back and soles of the feet. It is caused by compression of tendons and is closely related to prolonged physical strain and overloading. Tenosynovitis mostly occurs in the fingers and joint areas, resulting from repeated pulling of the tendon sheaths leading to congestion and edema, often associated with prolonged manual labor.
2. Different symptoms: Clinically, fasciitis mainly presents as patchy pain, with cord-like lumps and distinct tender points in the affected area. Tenosynovitis primarily manifests as restricted joint movement, a snapping sensation during motion, and palpable painful nodules locally.
3. Different treatments: Patients with fasciitis may, under medical guidance, take medications such as diclofenac sodium sustained-release tablets or ibuprofen sustained-release capsules to control inflammation and relieve pain. In severe cases, procedures like small needle knife therapy or radiofrequency ablation can be used to improve symptoms. For tenosynovitis, local steroid injections (closed injection) may be chosen; if ineffective, surgical decompression via tendon sheath incision may be considered.
If patients cannot clearly distinguish between fasciitis and tenosynovitis, it is recommended to seek evaluation by a qualified physician at a hospital. A proper diagnosis based on individual circumstances will help determine the most appropriate treatment plan.
