Although this website is primarily about muscles (not tendons), it becomes impossible to talk about finger and hand movement without focusing on tendons - specifically the "extensor" and the "flexor" tendon groups. As you know, the fingers and hands are capable of extreme dexterity and fine control. Much of this control stems from muscles in the forearm and wrist which connect directly to long, tough tendons that extend into the reach of the fingers and hand.

Extensor Tendons - What, Where & Why?

Extensor tendons are located at the top of the wrist and the back of the hands and they connect muscles in the forearm to the finger bones. Muscles in the upper forearm pull on the tendons which cause the hand and fingers to extend. The tendons run through a series of rings, or pulleys, that form tunnels along the fingers and thumb. They work similar to a line guided along a fishing rod, with the pulleys holding the tendon close to the bone. These tendons are made up of tissue called collagen and elastin, ensuring that they are both tough and flexible.

Extensor tendons glide smoothly and are enclosed by synovium, a thin sheath of smooth tissue that reduces friction for easier movement. When the tendons become irritated and inflamed, their ability to glide within these compartments is restricted; this inflammation causes wrist and hand pain during movement and tenderness when direct pressure is applied. When the extensor tendons are inflamed it is referred to as extensor tendinitis, also spelled tendonitis.

Tendon fibers can tear apart in the much the same way a rope becomes frayed. Once a tendon becomes frayed, an inflammatory response is triggered; over time an inflamed tendon can become thick, bumpy and irregular making it more difficult to glide during hand movements. Without proper rest and time to heal, a damaged tendon can become permanently weakened.

An injury to these tendons ~~can~~ will make everyday tasks difficult, and may very well affect a persons performance or abilities at work. At present, the results of tendon repair surgery are far from ideal, as such an invasive technique can often create excess scar tissue (adhesions) between the sheath and the tendon, restricting mobility and leading to a loss of function.

Extensor Tendonitis Symptoms

If you are suffering from tendinitis in the extensor tendons you may experience one or all of the following symptoms:

Initial pain over the back of the wrist that is only felt under strain, eventually becoming a sharp or constant dull pain whenever you move your wrist
Stiffness and loss of flexibility in the wrist
Swelling, heat and tenderness in the wrist area
Tingling or numbness in the hand

Causes of Extensor Tendinitis

If tendons are stressed enough from excessive or unconditioned use, the sheath lining can become inflamed and movements may be painful as the tendons glide through the inflamed sheath.

Extensor tendinitis can be caused from overuse of the wrist during an activity. For example, if a person undertakes a massive spring cleaning, the wrist is usually held in a hyperextended position as the palm exerts the pressure. The extensor tendons at the wrist level are strained and tendon sheaths become inflamed.

Activities with frequent wrist actions , such as tennis, bowling, throwing and cathing, typing, sewing, etc., can also cause overuse injuries such as extensor tendinitis.

Some people are predisposed to extensor tendinitis if their body has a tendency to collect fluid around the tendons and joints. This can occur with conditions such as rheumatoid arhtritis, diabetes, and gout.

Prevention

Prevention of extensor tendinitis is exercised simply by not overdoing any activities that use a lot of wrist motion (i.e. cleaning, gardening, typing, filing and writing). Be careful about suddenly increasing the time spent on these activities, as your tendons are not properly conditioned to the added stress. Close attention also should be paid to the positioning of the wrist and hand - try to maintain the wrist in a neutral position and avoid any excessive flexing (bending the wrist forward) and extending (bending of the wrist backward).

Muscle Injury Facts:

There are approximately 639 muscles in the human body

Muscle aches and pains are common and can involve more than one muscle

Muscle pain also can involve ligaments, tendons, and fascia, the soft tissues that connect muscles, bones, and organs

Oral medications can mask the pain but do not aid in the healing of a muscle injury. Anti-inflammatories and pain killers can cause muscle related injuries to worsen

Muscle pain also can be a sign of conditions affecting your whole body, like some infections and disorders that affect connective tissues throughout the body

Most common cause of muscle aches & pains:

Injury or trauma including sprains and strains
Overuse: using a muscle too much, too soon, too often
Tension or stress

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