20/11/2022
Effectiveness of Therapeutic Ultrasound in De Quervain's Tenosynovitis
Effectiveness of therapeutic ultrasound in De Quervains tenosynovitis
Whether you are a physician or a layperson who is considering therapeutic ultrasound for your patients, you should know some of the facts about this type of therapy. These facts will help you to decide whether therapeutic ultrasound is right for you and your patients. You will also find out what symptoms you should look for and what side effects to expect.
Symptoms
Symptoms of De Quervain's tenosynovitis include pain and swelling in the wrist, along with difficulty moving the wrist during activities. Usually the condition is temporary. However, it can become more severe if symptoms persist. In severe cases, surgery may be required. In general, surgery involves cutting away a portion of the sheath that covers the tendons. This allows for more room for the tendons and relieves pain. Depending on the severity of the condition, the surgery can take up to four to eight weeks to recover.
If the symptoms of De Quervain's tenosynovitis do not improve with non-surgical treatment, surgery may be required. Surgeons need to protect the nerves near the sheath and make sure that the tendons remain stable. In most cases, patients respond well to surgery.
Non-surgical treatments include resting the wrist, wearing a wrist splint, and using corticosteroids to reduce pain and swelling. Some people also undergo physical therapy. In most cases, patients can return to normal activities within six to twelve weeks.
Patients may also have to wear a splint for four to six weeks. However, patients should not limit their activities to reduce symptoms. During these weeks, patients should also be careful to avoid repetitive movements. In addition to wearing a splint, patients may be required to use iontophoresis to treat the symptoms.
De Quervain's tenosynovitis is usually caused by overuse. However, it is also possible to develop the condition as a result of arthritis, hormonal changes, or a wrist injury. A doctor will diagnose the condition based on symptoms. Treatments can help reduce the symptoms and prevent them from recurring.
Surgery is usually the last resort. The surgery will help relieve pain and improve the ability of the patient to move their wrist. Depending on the severity of the condition, surgery may be performed to remove the sheath and release the tendons. The success rate of the surgery is between 95 and 100 percent. However, some patients will not respond well to surgery.
In addition to surgery, patients may be prescribed nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to reduce pain. These medications may be taken for up to two weeks. Patients may also be given steroid injections.
Treatment with kinesio tape
Several studies have shown that Kinesio tape can provide a short-term pain relief for De Quervain's tenosynovitis. This condition occurs when there is inflammation of the base tendons of the thumb. Symptoms include pain and swelling in the thumb base. Surgical treatments such as corticosteroid injections or surgery may help reduce the pain, but they also carry their own risks.
Passive physical modalities, such as low-level laser therapy and ultrasound, are used to treat soft tissue injuries and pain. They are not recommended for the management of CTS. Other rehabilitation interventions, such as myofascial release therapy and eccentric exercises, are recommended to reduce pain and improve hand function.
A 49-year-old female recreational cyclist suffered from right-sided wrist pain. She had been treated with conventional therapy, including ultrasound, friction massage, and myofascial release therapy. She also received corticosteroid injections. She also had a positive Finkelstein test. Despite positive results, she decided to avoid steroid injections. She did not undergo surgery, but was treated with a guasha, which is a tool that helps remove soft tissue.
Kinesio tape can be applied to facilitate correct muscle contraction and inhibit muscle spasm. Studies have shown that it provides benefits for pain reduction, range of motion, strength, and joint approximation. It also has a potential to help with recovery from De Quervain's tenosynovitis.
The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of therapeutic Kinesio taping and multimodal physiotherapy on pain, range of motion, and function in De Quervain's tenosynovitis. The interventions were administered by occupational therapists. The subjects were randomized into two groups.
The first group received therapeutic taping for one month and were evaluated by a physiotherapist. The group also received 10 minutes of paraffin bath. The second group received a combination of therapeutic taping and exercise. The group used three pieces of Kinesio tape weekly. The group was evaluated by an occupational therapist.
The results showed that the group that received both interventions had a significant improvement in upper extremity functional abilities. The intervention programs improved hand strength and stiffness in both groups.
Treatment with therapeutic ultrasound
Several methods for treating De Quervain's tenosynovitis (DQT) have been proposed, including ultrasound guided injections. These injections provide quick and effective pain relief, with medication injected precisely into the tendon sheath. They are well-established in the medical literature. However, there is some debate about the safety of these methods.
One of the most common methods used for treating DQT is ultrasound guided steroid injections. This method deposits short acting numbing agents along with anti-inflammatory medication. This method has shown a success rate of 67 to 93 percent.
Another treatment option is the Graston technique. This procedure uses augmented soft tissue mobilization to stimulate the body's natural healing process. This method is used for chronic inflammation, fibrosis, and soft tissue injuries. However, there is no scientific evidence for its use for treating De Quervain's tenosynovitis.
Another type of nonsurgical treatment is to splint the joint. This can reduce inflammation and allow the patient to continue performing essential self-care activities. This is also important to prevent tissue aggravation and help with healing. The goal of this method is to return the hand to a fully functioning state. It is important to return to normal daily activities to ensure the healing process is complete.
Several other methods for treating DQT include therapeutic exercises, activity modification, patient education, desensitization, and range of motion therapeutic exercises. However, these methods do not address the psychological symptoms of pain, anxiety, and depression. Therefore, referral to a psychologist may be appropriate for patients with significant psychological distress.
Nonsurgical treatments for DQT include ultrasound-guided injections, splints, physical therapy, and corticosteroid injections. While these treatments may provide effective relief, surgery is reserved for cases that do not respond to nonsurgical treatments. Surgery has shown good outcomes in nearly 90 percent of patients. However, more high-quality RCTs are needed to stimulate evidence-based practice.
One study conducted by Weiss and colleagues found that 19% of patients reported significant improvement after treatment with splints. However, this study was single-blindetard. It was based on observations of patients' clinical characteristics and was not a trial of the effectiveness of splints.
Side effects
Using therapeutic ultrasound for the treatment of de Quervain's tenosynovitis has shown to be effective. In addition to pain relief, ultrasound can help heal tendons, ligaments, and other soft tissues. It also helps to reduce infection and reduces skin thinning. In the United States, therapeutic ultrasound has been used to treat numerous musculoskeletal injuries. In de Quervain's tenosynovitis, ultrasound helps to direct the needle into a small tendon sheath and deposit medication.
There are several possible side effects of therapeutic ultrasound in de Quervain's tenosynovitis. These include atrophy of fat and skin, hypopigmentation, and ecchymosis. These side effects are often noticeable in dark-skinned individuals. In addition, they can be severe and require immediate medical attention.
Other possible side effects of ultrasound in de Quervain's disease include skin atrophy and collagen degeneration. These can also be significant in blacks and whites, particularly in military personnel. Depending on the therapist's goal, therapeutic ultrasound can be used for either healing or regeneration.
There are a number of studies that show that corticosteroid injection is effective in treating de Quervain's tenosynovitis. The injection involves mixing 40 mg of corticosteroid with local anesthetic and injecting into the tendon sheath of the first dorsal compartment. However, it is important to note that corticosteroid injections can also cause systemic adverse effects.
Nonsurgical treatment options include physical therapy and splinting the joint. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and painkillers can also be used to reduce pain. Acupuncture has also been shown to be effective in treating de Quervain's disease.
Surgery has also been shown to be effective in treating this condition. The surgery is reserved for recalcitrant cases after three to six months. However, surgery has proven to be effective in about 90 percent of patients.
Non-surgical treatment is aimed at restoring the fully functional hand. Rehabilitative measures can include splinting the joint, physical therapy, and thumb spica casting. It is important to note that patients should be pain-free before progressing to the next level of strengthening.
If you or a loved one is experiencing symptoms of de Quervain's stenosing tenosynovitis, talk to your doctor about treatment options. While there is no cure for this condition, therapeutic ultrasound can be an effective way to help reduce pain and inflammation and heal the affected tendons and ligaments.