ECU Tendinitis
ECU tendinitis is due to inflammation of the tendon that runs down the forearm, through the wrist and to the little finger. It is the second most common pattern of tendinopathy of wrist.
The condition is usually initiated by a twisting injury, followed within 24 to 48 hours by increasing pain and swelling.
The chief symptom is pain in the little finger side of the wrist.
Pain at night is frequent and occasionally severe enough to interfere with sleep.
Radiating pain along the little finger is a frequent finding.
Other signs and symptoms can include:
- inflammation (swelling) or tenderness of the little finger side of the wrist
- popping or snapping sounds while moving the wrist.
Conservative, nonsurgical treatments are tried first. These can include:
- reducing or modifying activities
- wearing a forearm spica splint
- Non Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs
If the above measures are not effective after several weeks, gluticorticoid injections may provide pain relief. Rarely, if pain persists after non-operative measures have been tried, wrist surgery may be required.