Definition and research guide
This page combines a MeSH definition, publication statistics and selected research abstracts. It is a starting point for reading the literature, not a medical textbook or a systematic evidence review.
Content available: 4 complete abstracts (584 words), 10 references. Full article text is not stored or reproduced here; follow the PMID, DOI or PMC links to read the original sources and their access terms.
Definition
Inflammation of the synovial lining of a tendon sheath. Causes include trauma, tendon stress, bacterial disease (gonorrhea, tuberculosis), rheumatic disease, and gout. Common sites are the hand, wrist, shoulder capsule, hip capsule, hamstring muscles, and Achilles tendon. The tendon sheaths become inflamed and painful, and accumulate fluid. Joint mobility is usually reduced.
Definition: NLM Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) scope note (Public domain (U.S. National Library of Medicine); attribution requested). View the MeSH record.
Also known as: Tenosynovitides.
Where it fits in the MeSH classification
- Broader topics
- Tendinopathy
Research landscape
PubMed indexes 3,313 records tagged with the MeSH heading “Tenosynovitis” (counts retrieved 2026-11-04). 391 of them (11.8%) were published from 2020 onward, and the busiest period so far is through 1999 with 1,700 records.
Reviews account for 396 records (12.0%) and meta-analyses for 3. Randomized controlled trials number 38 (1.1%) as a share of all records on the topic. Randomized trials make up only a small share of this literature, so much of what is known comes from laboratory, observational or descriptive work.
Show the data
| Period | Records |
|---|---|
| through 1999 | 1,700 |
| 2000-2009 | 577 |
| 2010-2019 | 645 |
| 2020 onward | 391 |
Publication-type chart data
| Type | Records | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Reviews | 396 | 12.0% |
| Meta-analyses | 3 | 0.1% |
| Randomized controlled trials | 38 | 1.1% |
Method: PubMed query "Tenosynovitis"[MeSH Terms] with publication-type and date filters, retrieved 2026-11-04.
Reading the evidence in bones, joints, muscles and skin
Joint, bone, muscle and skin conditions are often judged by pain scores, function questionnaires, imaging or photographs, and symptoms can fluctuate, so placebo response and natural improvement matter. Imaging changes are common in people without symptoms. Nothing on this page is advice about treatment. Check how outcomes were measured, whether the comparison group received a placebo or usual care, and how long the benefit lasted.
Evidence from open-access studies
These open-access studies come from PubMed’s best-match results for this heading (papers whose main topic it is), ranked here by citation count, with one recent addition. Each abstract is reproduced in full under its recorded open licence so that you can read the authors’ own words. They illustrate the literature; they are not a systematic summary of it. Citation counts measure attention, not reliability or clinical benefit.
| Study / authors | Year | Source label / design | Europe PMC citations | Licence / source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| High-resolution MRI assessment of dactylitis in psoriatic arthritis shows flexor tendon pulley and sheath-related enthesitis | 2015 | Research article Design not recorded in structured metadata | 80 | cc by PMID 25261575 · DOI · PMC4283670 |
| Tuberculous tenosynovitis of the flexor tendons of the wrist: a case report | 2018 | Research article Design not recorded in structured metadata | 24 | cc by PMID 29636100 · DOI · PMC5894222 |
| Bedside ultrasound identification of infectious flexor tenosynovitis in the emergency department | 2015 | Research article Design not recorded in structured metadata | 22 | cc by PMID 25834667 · DOI · PMC4380376 |
| Extrapulmonary hyalinizing granuloma: a rare case with intra-articular and tenosynovial involvement | 2025 | Research article Design not recorded in structured metadata | 0 | cc by PMID 39048672 · DOI · PMC11953202 |
High-resolution MRI assessment of dactylitis in psoriatic arthritis shows flexor tendon pulley and sheath-related enthesitis [1]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- ObjectiveDactylitis is a hallmark of psoriatic arthritis (PsA) where flexor tenosynovitis is common.
- Closing excerpt
- ConclusionsThis study provides proof of concept for a link between dactylitis and 'digital polyenthesitis' including disease of the miniature enthesis pulleys of the flexor tendons, further affirming the concept of enthesitis in PsA.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (192 words)
ObjectiveDactylitis is a hallmark of psoriatic arthritis (PsA) where flexor tenosynovitis is common. This study explored the microanatomical basis of dactylitis using high-resolution MRI (hrMRI) to visualise the small entheses around the digits.MethodsTwelve patients with psoriatic dactylitis (4 fingers, 8 toes), and 10 healthy volunteers (6 fingers, 4 toes) had hrMRI of the digits using a 'microscopy' coil and contrast enhancement. All structures were evaluated including the tendons and ligaments, related enthesis organs, pulleys, volar/plantar plates and tendon sheaths.ResultsIn dactylitis, collateral ligament enthesitis was seen in nine digits (75%), extensor tendon enthesitis in six digits (50%), functional enthesitis (5 digits, 42%), abnormal enhancement at the volar plates (2/5 joints, 40%) and the plantar plate (1/5 joints, 20%). Nine cases (75%) demonstrated flexor tenosynovitis, with flexor tendon pulley/flexor sheath microenthesopathy observed in 50% of all cases. Less abnormalities which were milder was observed in the normal controls, none of whom had any signal changes in the tendon pulleys or fibrous sheaths.ConclusionsThis study provides proof of concept for a link between dactylitis and 'digital polyenthesitis' including disease of the miniature enthesis pulleys of the flexor tendons, further affirming the concept of enthesitis in PsA.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 25261575 · DOI · PMC4283670
Tuberculous tenosynovitis of the flexor tendons of the wrist: a case report [2]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- BackgroundTuberculous tenosynovitis poses a significant public health challenge, especially in developing countries.
- Closing excerpt
- However, in developing countries like Ghana where tuberculosis is prevalent, it should be part of the differential diagnosis of compound palmar ganglion in order to prevent delayed diagnosis and treatment.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (160 words)
BackgroundTuberculous tenosynovitis poses a significant public health challenge, especially in developing countries. It usually affects the flexor tendons of the wrist.Case presentationWe present a case of a 65-year-old Ghanaian female. She presented a progressively enlarging mass over the volar aspect of the right wrist and palm. She did not have a previous history of tuberculosis. However, her erythrocyte sedimentation rate was high and Mantoux (purified protein derivative) test was strongly positive (more than 15 mm). Radiograph of ulna, radius, and wrist showed osteopenic changes around the distal radius. Excision biopsy of the mass was done and samples sent for histopathology comment. The findings were an inflamed, thickened synovia with rice bodies: suggestive of tuberculous tenosynovitis. Anti-tuberculous chemotherapy was commenced on the second postoperative day.ConclusionTuberculous tenosynovitis of the wrist is uncommon. However, in developing countries like Ghana where tuberculosis is prevalent, it should be part of the differential diagnosis of compound palmar ganglion in order to prevent delayed diagnosis and treatment.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 29636100 · DOI · PMC5894222
Bedside ultrasound identification of infectious flexor tenosynovitis in the emergency department [3]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- Infectious flexor tenosynovitis (FTS) is a serious infection of the hand and wrist that can lead to necrosis and amputation without prompt diagnosis and surgical debridement.
- Closing excerpt
- Subsequent surgical pathology confirmed the diagnosis of infectious FTS.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (92 words)
Infectious flexor tenosynovitis (FTS) is a serious infection of the hand and wrist that can lead to necrosis and amputation without prompt diagnosis and surgical debridement. Despite the growing use of point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) by emergency physicians there is only one reported case of the use of POCUS for the diagnosis of infectious FTS in the emergency department setting. We present a case of a 58 year-old man where POCUS identified tissue necrosis and fluid along the flexor tendon sheath of the hand. Subsequent surgical pathology confirmed the diagnosis of infectious FTS.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 25834667 · DOI · PMC4380376
Extrapulmonary hyalinizing granuloma: a rare case with intra-articular and tenosynovial involvement [4]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- Extrapulmonary hyalinizing granuloma (EPHG) is a notably rare condition, representing an exaggerated chronic immune response to antigenic stimuli.
- Closing excerpt
- The diagnosis of EPHG was revealed through biopsy and pathologic examination with glucocorticoids being effective in treatment.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (140 words)
Extrapulmonary hyalinizing granuloma (EPHG) is a notably rare condition, representing an exaggerated chronic immune response to antigenic stimuli. This report presents the first documented case of intra-articular and tenosynovial EPHG with radiological evaluation and pathological confirmation in a 60-year-old man presenting with wrist pain and swelling. Imaging findings were relatively symmetric with marked distension of the distal radioulnar joints and extensor tendon sheaths with masses and nodules of various sizes surrounded by synovitis and accompanied by bony erosions. On US, the masses were heterogeneous but mostly hypo- to iso-echoic compared to muscle and relatively hypovascular. On MRI, compared to muscle, the nodules exhibited iso-intense signal on T1-weighted images, iso- to mildly hyper-intense signal on T2-weighted fat-suppressed images, and minimal enhancement on post-contrast images. The diagnosis of EPHG was revealed through biopsy and pathologic examination with glucocorticoids being effective in treatment.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 39048672 · DOI · PMC11953202
Key reviews and meta-analyses
The most cited review-type papers among PubMed’s best-match results for this heading, listed with bibliographic details only. Follow the links for the full text and access terms.
- Research article Trigger digits: principles, management, and complications [5]
- Research article Reliability of a consensus-based ultrasound score for tenosynovitis in rheumatoid arthritis [6]
- Research article Avian reovirus infections [7]
- Research article Flexor tendon entrapment of the digits (trigger finger and trigger thumb) [8]
- Research article Trigger digits: diagnosis and treatment [9]
- Research article Corticosteroid injection for treatment of de Quervain's tenosynovitis: a pooled quantitative literature evaluation [10]
References
- Tan AL, Fukuba E, Halliday NA, Tanner SF, Emery P, McGonagle D. High-resolution MRI assessment of dactylitis in psoriatic arthritis shows flexor tendon pulley and sheath-related enthesitis. . 2015. PMID 25261575 · DOI · PMC4283670
- Baidoo PK, Baddoo D, Ocloo A, Agbley D, Lartey S, Baddoo NA. Tuberculous tenosynovitis of the flexor tendons of the wrist: a case report. . 2018. PMID 29636100 · DOI · PMC5894222
- Padrez K, Bress J, Johnson B, Nagdev A. Bedside ultrasound identification of infectious flexor tenosynovitis in the emergency department. . 2015. PMID 25834667 · DOI · PMC4380376
- Alhumayed M, Austin RP, Chang EY. Extrapulmonary hyalinizing granuloma: a rare case with intra-articular and tenosynovial involvement. . 2025. PMID 39048672 · DOI · PMC11953202
- Ryzewicz M, Wolf JM. Trigger digits: principles, management, and complications. J Hand Surg Am. 2006. PMID 16443118 · DOI
- Naredo E, D'Agostino MA, Wakefield RJ, Möller I, Balint PV, Filippucci E, et al.. Reliability of a consensus-based ultrasound score for tenosynovitis in rheumatoid arthritis. Ann Rheum Dis. 2013. PMID 22984169 · DOI
- Jones RC. Avian reovirus infections. Rev Sci Tech. 2000. PMID 10935283 · DOI
- Moore JS. Flexor tendon entrapment of the digits (trigger finger and trigger thumb). J Occup Environ Med. 2000. PMID 10824306 · DOI
- Saldana MJ. Trigger digits: diagnosis and treatment. J Am Acad Orthop Surg. 2001. PMID 11476534 · DOI
- Richie CA, Briner WW. Corticosteroid injection for treatment of de Quervain's tenosynovitis: a pooled quantitative literature evaluation. J Am Board Fam Pract. 2003. PMID 12665175 · DOI
About this article
- Sources
- NLM Medical Subject Headings (definition, synonyms); NCBI PubMed (counts, identifiers); Europe PMC (open-access abstracts and citation counts).
- Verification
- Every reference was resolved against PubMed on 2026-11-04; title, year and DOI matched.
- Review state
- automated source verified; no human expert review has been recorded yet.
- Version
- 1, last updated 2026-11-04.
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Evidence strength
EvidenceHelix's computed view of the study designs behind this topic: how common meta-analyses, randomized trials and reviews are, how recent the literature is, and a plain-language reading. It describes the design mix of the literature. It is not a quality appraisal of any study, and it is not medical advice.