The Centers for Advanced Orthopaedics
Maryland Orthopedic Specialists
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Hand & Wrist

Hand & Wrist Tendonitis

Hand and wrist tendonitis (inflammation or degeneration of the tendons in and around the hand and wrist) is a common cause of pain, stiffness, and reduced grip strength. It can affect workers, athletes, musicians, and parents alike. While specific conditions such as De Quervain's tenosynovitis and trigger finger have dedicated pages on our site, a broader range of tendinopathy affecting the wrist extensors, wrist flexors, and finger tendons responds well to targeted non-operative treatment and expert hand care.

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What is hand & wrist tendonitis?

Hand and wrist tendonitis, more accurately tendinopathy, is painful irritation and degeneration of a tendon from repetitive overload, injury, or age-related wear. Common forms include de Quervain's and trigger finger. Symptoms include pain with movement, swelling, and stiffness, and most cases improve with rest, therapy, and injections.

Tendonitis (or more accurately, tendinopathy) refers to painful degeneration and inflammation of a tendon where it has been subjected to repetitive overload, acute injury, or age-related wear. The tendons most commonly affected include:

  • Wrist extensor tendons (especially ECRL, ECRB at the dorsal wrist): associated with repetitive gripping, lifting, and dorsiflexion
  • Wrist flexor tendons (FCR and FCU) — associated with repetitive flexion and ulnar deviation
  • Flexor and extensor tendons of the fingers — from sustained fine motor tasks, typing, or gripping

This page covers general hand/wrist tendinopathy not better classified as De Quervain's tenosynovitis (first dorsal compartment) or trigger finger (flexor tendon sheath stenosis), which have their own pages. If you have thumb-side wrist pain or a finger that catches or locks, those specific pages may be more relevant.

Intersection Syndrome is a related condition where the APL and EPB cross the radial wrist extensors approximately 4–6 cm above the wrist. It produces a distinctive crunching crepitus ("squeaker's wrist") and dorsal forearm pain, often confused with De Quervain's.

Symptoms — do you recognize these?

  • Aching or burning pain along a tendon, typically worsened with activity and improved with rest
  • Stiffness at the wrist or in the fingers, particularly in the morning
  • Mild swelling or warmth overlying the affected tendon
  • Weakness with gripping, pinching, or wrist loading
  • Crepitus (crunching or creaking) with movement in some cases

Call us at (301) 515-0900. Same-day appointments available at our Bethesda and Germantown locations.

How we diagnose it

Diagnosis is clinical, based on the location of tenderness, aggravating activities, and examination findings. Ultrasound is excellent for confirming tendon pathology (detecting thickening, tears, and peritendinous fluid) and for guiding injections. MRI may be ordered when the diagnosis is uncertain or when full-thickness tendon tears need to be excluded. X-rays help rule out underlying bone or joint pathology.

Recovery & rehabilitation

Most patients see improvement within 4–8 weeks of consistent non-operative treatment. Chronic tendinopathy may require 3–6 months of progressive loading therapy for full resolution. Early return to activity is encouraged within comfortable limits.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is tendonitis the same as tendinopathy?
"Tendonitis" implies acute inflammation; "tendinopathy" is the preferred term for chronic, degenerative tendon pain with less inflammation and more structural change. Both terms are used interchangeably in common practice, but the distinction matters for treatment: chronic tendinopathy responds better to loading programs than to pure anti-inflammatory treatment.
How is this different from De Quervain's or trigger finger?
De Quervain's involves specific stenosis of the first dorsal compartment (thumb tendons), and trigger finger involves stenosis of the A1 flexor pulley. These have precise anatomical diagnoses and treatment protocols. General wrist tendinopathy involves other tendon locations without a defined pulley or compartment stenosis.
Can I exercise with tendonitis?
Yes, active, graded rehabilitation is the cornerstone of treatment. Complete rest is counterproductive for most tendinopathy. Our therapists design programs that load the tendon appropriately without overloading it.
What treatments are available if rest and anti-inflammatories are not helping my hand or wrist tendonitis?
If initial measures are insufficient, the next steps typically include a corticosteroid injection around the affected tendon sheath to reduce inflammation, combined with a structured hand therapy program. Splinting to rest the tendon in a protected position can also accelerate recovery. For conditions like De Quervain's tenosynovitis or trigger finger that do not respond to injections, minor outpatient surgery to release the constricting tendon sheath is highly effective, with quick recovery. At MOS we provide a clear progression plan so you always know what the next option is if your current treatment is not working.
Can hand and wrist tendonitis become permanent if I ignore it?
Leaving tendonitis untreated can allow the condition to progress from inflammation to structural tendinopathy (chronic degenerative changes within the tendon), which is harder to resolve. In severe, prolonged cases, the tendon may eventually rupture, which is a more serious injury requiring surgical repair. Catching and addressing tendonitis early, while the tendon tissue is still intact and healthy, gives the best chance of full recovery. If your pain persists for more than four to six weeks, an evaluation with your MOS provider is advisable.

Meet the specialists

Peter G. Fitzgibbons, MD

Peter G. Fitzgibbons, MD

Hand Surgery · Orthopedic Surgery

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Related conditions

De Quervain's TenosynovitisTrigger FingerHand & Wrist Arthritis
Medically reviewed by Peter G. Fitzgibbons, MD
Last reviewed May 1, 2026

References

  1. de Vos RJ, Windt J, Weir A. Strong evidence against platelet-rich plasma injections for chronic lateral epicondylar tendinopathy. British Journal of Sports Medicine. 2014;48(12):952–956. doi:10.1136/bjsports-2013-093281
  2. Khan KM, Cook JL, Kannus P, Maffulli N, Bonar SF. Time to abandon the "tendinitis" myth. BMJ. 2002;324(7338):626–627. doi:10.1136/bmj.324.7338.626
  3. Huisstede BM, Gladdines S, Randsdorp MS, Koes BW. Effectiveness of conservative, surgical, and postsurgical interventions for trigger finger, Dupuytren disease, and De Quervain disease. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. 2018;99(8):1635–1649.e21. doi:10.1016/j.apmr.2017.07.014
  4. Lohrer H, Nauck T, Konerding MA. Cross-linked versus native collagen injections for the treatment of lateral and medial epicondylitis. A prospective case series. Journal of Hand Surgery (European Volume). 2012;37(1):62–68. doi:10.1177/1753193411414532
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