Rheumatoid Arthritis Vs. Tenosynovitis

Rheumatoid arthritis is an inflammatory disorder caused by your immune system attacking your body's tissues. It affects small joints in the hands and feet. Tenosynovitis is an inflammatory condition affecting tendons in the hand, wrist and foot. Causes include injury, infection, strain or repetitive motion.

Similar Symptoms

• Symptoms of both tenosynovitis and rheumatoid arthritis are joint pain and swelling. Tenosynovitis will also cause joint stiffness while rheumatoid arthritis patients will feel morning stiffness which lasts for hours.

Tenosynovitis Symptoms

• Symptoms of tenosynovitis include wrist pain and stiffness near your thumb, trouble moving joints, and fingers being stuck in a bent position.

Rheumatoid Symptoms

• Symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis include tender joints, firm nodules on the arms, fever, weight loss, fatigue and red, puffy hands.

Similar Treatment

• Treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and tenosynovitis include anti-inflammatory and corticosteroid medicines for pain and inflammation, and surgery for tendon repair or release.

Rheumatoid Treatment

• Treatment includes occupational therapy to learn how to take stress off joints, immunosuppressants to control the immune system, disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs to slow the disease's progression, and joint replacement surgery.

Tenosynovitis Treatment

• Treatment includes using splints or braces to hold the joint, rest, stretching, strengthening exercises, and antibiotics.