Homoeopathy—A Plausible Alternative Treatment of De Quervain's Tenosynovitis: Case Reports

Abstract

Background De Quervain's tenosynovitis (DQT) is a disorder characterised by pain on the radial side of the wrist, impairment of thumb function and thickening of the ligamentous structure covering the tendons in the first dorsal compartment in the wrist.

Methods Two patients—a 50-year-old housewife and a 43-year-old computer operator were treated with a homoeopathic medicine ‘Rhus toxicodendron’ prescribed in 1M potency. The assessment was done using a visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain, quality of life (QoL) and range of motion (ROM) at baseline and end of the treatment. Assessment of causal attribution of treatment effect was done with the Modified Naranjo Criteria.

Result Both the cases showed a marked reduction in VAS (from +8 to 0 for both cases) and increase in QoL (from +5 to +10 & from +7 to +9) and ROM. The Modified Naranjo Criteria total score for each case was +7/13.

Conclusion Homoeopathy can be an effective approach in the management of DQT. Randomised controlled trials are thus indicated.

Keywords

case report - De Quervain's tenosynovitis - homoeopathy - Rhus toxicodendron

Financial Support and Sponsorship

Nil.

Publication History

Article published online:
27 January 2021

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