Extensortendonitis(also spelled tendinitis) is inflammation of tendons on the top of your hands and feet. These tendons attach to muscles that straighten your fingers and lift up your toes and the top of your foot. This condition often results from the overuse of these muscles, but it can also develop from wearing tight shoes.
This article discusses extensor tendonitis—what it is, its potential causes, how it is diagnosed, and its treatment options.
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Types of Extensor Tendonitis
Tendonitis can develop in any tendon of the extensor muscles. These tendons are long, thin bands of tissue you can feel on the top of your hands and feet. These structures attach to muscles in the forearm and lower leg on one end and bones of the fingers and toes on the other.
The extensor tendons in the hands that attach to these muscles include:
Extensor tendons on the top of the foot attach to these muscles:
Tendonitis Versus TendinopathyChronic tendon pain can lead to a condition called tendinopathy. Though tendonitis results from inflammation, tendinopathy is the degeneration—or micro-tearing—of a tendon that occurs with long-term overuse. It’s important to know which condition you are dealing with because they require different treatments.
Tendonitis Versus Tendinopathy
Chronic tendon pain can lead to a condition called tendinopathy. Though tendonitis results from inflammation, tendinopathy is the degeneration—or micro-tearing—of a tendon that occurs with long-term overuse. It’s important to know which condition you are dealing with because they require different treatments.
What Is Tendonitis and How Long Does It Last?
Symptoms of Extensor Tendonitis
The primary symptom of extensor tendonitis is pain in the affected tendon(s). You might also experience swelling, and your skin might become red or warm to the touch.
You can feel pain from extensor tendonitis when you use the affected muscles or when you move your hand or foot in the opposite direction and stretch the tendons out.
Typically, pain from tendonitis gets worse when you’re using the affected muscles and improves with rest.
What Causes Extensor Tendonitis?
Extensor tendonitis in the hands typically results from the overuse of your extensor muscles, causinginflammationin your tendons. However, it can also result from trauma, such as falling on your hand or an injury during sports activities.
Extensor tendonitis can occur with activities such as:
Extensor tendonitis in the foot can also result from activities that overuse it, such as running (especially uphill). However, it can also occur from wearing shoes that are too tight, or tightly laced shoes—commonly worn for running, dancing, and ice skating.
Less common causes of tendonitis include:
How Do Healthcare Providers Diagnose Tendonitis?
Diagnosis of tendonitis is often possible with a physical exam and a review of your symptoms. However, your healthcare provider might order additional tests to rule out more serious injuries, such as a broken bone or torn tendon.
Imaging tests can include:
Treatment Options for Extensor Tendonitis
Extensor tendonitis usually gets better with conservativetreatment, such as medication, home remedies/activity modification, and physical therapy.
Medications
You can treat inflammation from tendonitis withnon-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)such as:
Other medications, such as Tylenol (acetaminophen) can help reduce pain from this condition.
In some cases, you might need prescription anti-inflammatory medications (such ascorticosteroids) or pain relievers in the short term.
Home Remedies and Activity Modification
Home treatment for tendonitis should follow theRICE protocol:
Modifying your activities can also address the underlying cause of your tendonitis. Hand extensor tendonitis can develop from poor positioning. Setting up anergonomic workstationcan help significantly.
Consult with your coach or a personal trainer if your tendonitis is related to exercise. You might need to adjust your technique or training schedule to decrease pressure on your tendons.
Physical Therapy
Extensor tendonitis—both in the hand and foot—is often treated withphysical therapy. A physical therapist can help determine the underlying cause of your condition and provide you with an individualized treatment program.
Interventions physical therapists practice to treat tendonitis can include:
ACertified Hand Therapist—a healthcare provider who specializes in hand conditions— can also treat extensor tendonitis in the hand.
Surgery
Surgery is not a typical treatment for extensor tendonitis unless the tendon is torn.Recovery after extensor tendon repair requires physical therapy, and treatment follows a specific protocol.
Prognosis
Extensor tendonitis can take weeks or even months to improve. Early diagnosis and treatment are key for a quicker recovery. It’s important to determine the underlying cause of your condition rather than just treating your symptoms. See your healthcare provider if you suspect you might have extensor tendonitis.
Summary
5 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Society for Surgery of the Hand.Tendons.Hanson ZC, Lourie GM.Middorsal wrist pain in the high-level athlete: causes, treatment, and early return to play.Orthop J Sports Med. 2022;10(4):23259671221088610. doi:https://doi.org/10.1177%2F23259671221088610Arthritis Foundation.Tendinitis.Bronner S, Ojofeitimi S, Rose D.Repair and rehabilitation of extensor hallucis longus and brevis tendon lacerations in a professional dancer.J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2008;38(6):362-370. doi:10.1177/1938640013514271American Society for Surgery of the Hand.Extensor tendon injury.
5 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Society for Surgery of the Hand.Tendons.Hanson ZC, Lourie GM.Middorsal wrist pain in the high-level athlete: causes, treatment, and early return to play.Orthop J Sports Med. 2022;10(4):23259671221088610. doi:https://doi.org/10.1177%2F23259671221088610Arthritis Foundation.Tendinitis.Bronner S, Ojofeitimi S, Rose D.Repair and rehabilitation of extensor hallucis longus and brevis tendon lacerations in a professional dancer.J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2008;38(6):362-370. doi:10.1177/1938640013514271American Society for Surgery of the Hand.Extensor tendon injury.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
American Society for Surgery of the Hand.Tendons.Hanson ZC, Lourie GM.Middorsal wrist pain in the high-level athlete: causes, treatment, and early return to play.Orthop J Sports Med. 2022;10(4):23259671221088610. doi:https://doi.org/10.1177%2F23259671221088610Arthritis Foundation.Tendinitis.Bronner S, Ojofeitimi S, Rose D.Repair and rehabilitation of extensor hallucis longus and brevis tendon lacerations in a professional dancer.J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2008;38(6):362-370. doi:10.1177/1938640013514271American Society for Surgery of the Hand.Extensor tendon injury.
American Society for Surgery of the Hand.Tendons.
Hanson ZC, Lourie GM.Middorsal wrist pain in the high-level athlete: causes, treatment, and early return to play.Orthop J Sports Med. 2022;10(4):23259671221088610. doi:https://doi.org/10.1177%2F23259671221088610
Arthritis Foundation.Tendinitis.
Bronner S, Ojofeitimi S, Rose D.Repair and rehabilitation of extensor hallucis longus and brevis tendon lacerations in a professional dancer.J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2008;38(6):362-370. doi:10.1177/1938640013514271
American Society for Surgery of the Hand.Extensor tendon injury.
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