an acute or chronic inflammation of the tendon sheath, occurring in the region of the hand, the wrist joint, the forearm (radial and ulnar tenobursitis), the foot, the ankle joint, and the Achilles tendon (achillobursitis).

Tendovaginitis may be infectious or crepitant. Infectious tendovaginitis results when pyogenic microorganisms enter the tendon sheath through a crack, wound, or abrasion of the skin, or as a complication of panaritium. Infectious tendovaginitis proceeds through the stages of serous, serofibrinous, and purulent inflammation. It is accompanied by pains along the tendon that intensify when the fingers or hand are moved, by reddening and edema of the skin, by local elevation of temperature, and, when purulent tendovaginitis occurs, by fever and other symptoms of intoxication.

In its early stages, infectious tendovaginitis is treated by physiotherapy, immobilization, and antibacterial therapy. Purulent tendovaginitis is treated surgically since the pus may erupt and cause fistulas; purulent affection of adjacent joints and bones may also occur. Infectious tendovaginitis is prevented by early treatment of minor injuries of the hand and foot and by early and radical treatment of panaritium.

Crepitant tendovaginitis is an aseptic inflammation of the tendon sheath that develops on the back of the hand or forearm, mainly as an occupational disease of pianists, dairymaids, typists, and other persons whose work requires continuous use of the fingers. The principal symptoms are soreness in the region of the tendon, and crepitation, or crackling, in the back of the hand or forearm when the fingers are moved. Crepitant tendovaginitis is treated by physiotherapy and by immobilization of the wrist or fingers. If treatment is begun late or is insufficient, relapses may occur.