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How can you care for yourself when you have tenosynovitis of the wrist?
- Prop up the sore wrist on a pillow when you ice it or anytime you sit or lie down during the next 3 days. Try to keep it above the level of your heart. This will help reduce swelling.
- Put ice or cold packs on your wrist for 10 to 20 minutes at a time. Try to do this every 1 to 2 hours for the next 3 days (when you are awake) or until the swelling goes down. Put a thin cloth between the ice pack and your skin.
- If your swelling is gone after 2 or 3 days, put a heating pad set on low or a warm cloth on your wrist for 15 to 20 minutes. This can reduce pain.
- If your doctor gave you an elastic bandage, keep it on for the next 24 to 36 hours or for as long as your doctor told you. The bandage should be snug. But it should not be tight enough to cause numbness, tingling, or swelling.
- If your doctor gave you a splint or brace, wear it as directed. It will protect your wrist until it is better.
- Take pain medicines exactly as directed.
- If the doctor gave you a prescription medicine for pain, take it as prescribed.
- If you are not taking a prescription pain medicine, ask your doctor if you can take an over-the-counter medicine.
- If your doctor prescribes antibiotics, take them as directed. Do not stop taking them just because you feel better. You need to take the full course of antibiotics.
- Try not to use your injured wrist and hand.
- After you are better, do exercises to make the muscles around your tendon stronger. This can prevent the problem from coming back. Follow instructions from your doctor.
Tenosynovitis of the wrist: When to call
Call your doctor now or seek immediate medical care if:
- Your hand or fingers are cool or pale or change colors.
- You have tingling, weakness, or numbness in your hand and fingers.
- Your pain gets worse.
- The tendon may be infected. Signs of infection include:
- Increased pain and tenderness around the wrist or thumb.
- Swelling or redness of the wrist or thumb.
- A fever.
Watch closely for changes in your health, and be sure to contact your doctor if:
- You do not get better as expected.
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The content above contains general health information provided by Healthwise, Incorporated, and reviewed by its medical experts. This content should not replace the advice of your healthcare provider. Not all treatments or services described are offered as services by us. For recommended treatments, please consult your healthcare provider.