Preliminary notes on the treatment of 50 cases of tenosynovitis in industry.

unsatisfactory, the patient often suffering financially due to loss of bonus earnings, and the firm losing through employing a semi-fit man. It was therefore decided to treat a series by physiotherapy using the services of our two whole-time physiotherapists. The following basic criteria were laid down :-(I) That no case should be labelled as " tenosynovitis " unless a crepitus was palpable on movement. (Cases with local swelling and no crepitus present were excluded from the series. No record was kept of the latter but it is our opinion that th,wu r,-et%f"AaA-v*rj-"ia1v nvifsArt fr% tho rt%vtifnA tr,-nt-The treatment of tenosynovitis in industry has been ny riepojnuu eAxtlrlemey qUicK1y to L15n routlin tLIG-fullydiscussedinotherpapers, particularly,byThompson, ment.) (2) That no patient should be placed on light Plewes, and Shaw (1951). This paper makes no claim work unless he himself specifically requested this. As a for a new type of treatment except in regard to the result most of the patients continued during treatment patient's capacity for work, which, as far as possible, has the work which was the primary cause of their disability. not been limited at all and, in our opinion, there has (3) That no case was to be considered cured until the been a very considerable saving both in the period of patient himself stated that there was no pain or limitation disability and the time spent on light dutyh on movement, and that he, in his opinion, was cured. Tenosynovitis most This point is mentioned since clinically, that is, as commonly affects the 9 regards crepitus, swelling, and movement, many cases were wrist. In our series, considered clear some time before the patient himself in 44 of the 50 cases it 8 was satisfied. (4) That every case taken on or discharged involved the extensor was to be seen by the Works Medical Officer. (5) That forearm muscles, and every patient should be warned on his first attendance of these in no fewer 7 that swelling and discomfort might last for the rest of than 38 it involved the the day of initial treatment and were the normal result exthans3 capit involved th of adequate massage.