Does Finger Tendonitis Cause Swelling and Pain with Movement?
Yes, finger tendonitis (more accurately termed tendinopathy or tendinosis) characteristically causes both swelling and pain with movement, though the swelling is typically due to chronic degenerative changes rather than acute inflammation. 1
Clinical Presentation
Swelling and asymmetry are commonly noted when examining pathologic tendons in the fingers and hand. 1 The physical examination typically reveals:
- Well-localized tenderness that reproduces the pain experienced during activity 1, 2
- Visible swelling and asymmetry of the affected tendon 1
- Pain that is "sharp" or "stabbing" in quality 1
- Limited range of motion on the symptomatic side 1
The pain typically follows a characteristic pattern: insidious onset of load-related localized pain coinciding with increased activity, present during movement, and gradually increasing in intensity and duration over time. 1
Important Distinction: Tendinosis vs. Tendinitis
Most finger tendon problems presenting in primary care are chronic degenerative conditions (tendinosis) rather than acute inflammatory processes (tendinitis), despite the swelling present. 3 This is a critical distinction because:
- The vast majority of patients have prolonged symptoms by the time of presentation, by which point acute inflammation has subsided and been replaced by degeneration of the collagen fiber structure 1
- Misdiagnosing chronic degenerative tendinosis as acute inflammatory "tendonitis" leads to inappropriate treatment focus, particularly overreliance on anti-inflammatory medications 3
- The swelling observed is due to tendon thickening and degenerative changes, not primarily inflammation 4
What You Won't See
Joint effusions are uncommon with tendinopathy and should alert you to consider intra-articular pathology instead. 1 If multiple tendons are symptomatic, consider evaluation for rheumatic disease. 1
Clinical Pitfall
The terminology "tendonitis" suggests inflammation, but current evidence indicates that mechanical and degenerative factors are more important in hand and wrist tendon disorders. 4 The swelling you observe is part of the degenerative process, not acute inflammation, which fundamentally changes the treatment approach beyond simple anti-inflammatory strategies. 3