Tendovaginitis stenosans /de Quervain – tendon sheath inflammation

Terminology:

The word tendovaginitis is made up of the word stems Tendo (Latin for to tighten) and vaginitis (inflammation of the vagina). It is an inflammation of the tendon sheath. In principle, it can occur anywhere on the body where there is tendon gliding tissue.

Forms of tendovaginitis in hand surgery

Typical tendovaginitis usually affects the flexor tendon sheaths, as these are exposed to particular stress.

Special forms are tendovaginitis stenosans (constricting) of the fingers and tendovaginitis de Quervain of the 1st extensor tendon compartment.

You can find more information on this in the following articles:

• Tendovaginitis stenosans = Snapping finger = Snapping finger
• Tendovaginitis de Quervain = housewife’s thumb