The Effectiveness of Physiotherapy Intervention in De Quervain's Tenosynovitis

Abstract

Background: More than 25% of all sports-related injuries involve the wrist and hand. One type of injury that can occur in the wrist and hand region is De Quervain's tenosynovitis (DQT). Overuse of the wrist and increased repetitive activity are common causes of DQT, resulting in microdamage due to frequent slipping of the central dorsal compartment tendon, causing pain. Conservative management of DQT cases differs based on the severity of the condition. Various types of physiotherapy interventions can be applied to DQT cases, such as ultrasound therapy, low-level laser therapy, extracorporeal shock wave therapy, splinting, Kinesio Taping (KT), and various types of exercise. The study aims to determine the effectiveness of providing physiotherapy interventions in the case of DQT tenosynovitis.

Methods: This research is a literature review study that uses secondary data from several research journals related to the effectiveness of physiotherapy interventions in the case of DQT tenosynovitis.

Results: Several studies have shown that physiotherapy interventions in the form of modalities, such as low-level laser therapy, ultrasound therapy, extracorporeal shock wave therapy, various types of exercises such as eccentric exercise, strengthening exercise, thumb splinting, and manual therapy in the form of deep friction massage is effective in reducing signs and symptoms in DQT tenosynovitis.

Conclusion: Physiotherapy interventions in the form of modalities combined with several types of exercises, thumb splinting, and manual therapy in the form of deep friction massage have proven to be effective in reducing symptoms in patients with DQT tenosynovitis.