Small Needle Knife for Effective Treatment of Tenosynovitis

Mr. Zhang had been suffering from severe thumb pain and inability to flex or extend his fingers for six months. Despite multiple visits to different doctors, using patches, taking medication, and receiving injections, his symptoms showed no improvement, which significantly affected his daily life and work. Upon referral, he came to my clinic, where I diagnosed him with severe stenosing tenosynovitis in both thumbs.

Why did Mr. Zhang develop stenosing tenosynovitis in both hands at such a severe level? It turned out that his job at a beer factory involved repeatedly pressing bottle caps with his thumbs, leading to long-term overuse and eventual injury. Unlike other patients, his condition was both severe and bilateral. Due to the significant narrowing of the tendon sheaths, he not only experienced immobility but also had noticeable lumps and pain.

I treated Mr. Zhang using a small needle knife for minimally invasive release of the stenosed tendon sheaths. Within minutes, he regained full thumb mobility. When he returned for follow-up two weeks later, his thumbs were not only fully functional but also pain-free, and he was visibly happy.

What is Stenosing Tenosynovitis?

Stenosing tenosynovitis, also known as trigger finger or snapping finger, is a common condition characterized by pain, snapping, and limited motion at the finger joints. It frequently affects women and is caused by repetitive flexion and extension of the fingers, leading to compression and damage to the tendon sheaths. This results in a narrowing of the sheath, causing the tendon to become enlarged, and as the fingers flex or extend, they may experience blockage and pain.

Common treatments include local corticosteroid injections to reduce inflammation and pain, but these do not relieve the mechanical narrowing. Surgery is another option, which involves making an incision and surgically releasing the tendon sheath, but it comes with risks such as scarring and patient anxiety.

The small needle knife technique, an improved form of traditional acupuncture, is a minimally invasive procedure that has become popular. It combines the properties of both a needle and a blade, offering advantages such as a quick procedure, minimal damage, immediate results, rapid recovery, no scarring, and easy acceptance by patients.

The entire procedure takes only a few minutes, with minimal discomfort and a tiny needle puncture (0.8–1.0 mm). Post-treatment, no painkillers or antibiotics are needed due to the minimal trauma, making this approach effective, safe, and painless.

Keywords: Tenosynovitis, Small Needle Knife