Outcomes of the treatment of trigger digits by extracorporal shock wave therapy (ESWT)

Abstract

Background Currently, extracorporal shock wave therapy (ESWT) has been widely used in tendinopathies, including trigger fingers.

Purpose The objective of this study was evaluation of effectiveness of ESWT for trigger digits in a short and mid-term follow-up.

Patients and methods Thirty-two patients, 28 women and 4 men, in a mean age of 60 years, with a total of 50 affected digits underwent local extracorporal shock wave treatment. Each patient received 3 applications in a weekly interval. Results were assessed at 1 week and 3 months follow-up, using numeric rank scale for pain and Froimson scale for clinical severity.

Results One-week post-treatment, pain and triggering ceased completely or reduced significantly in 30 patients (94%). At 3 month follow-up, in 30 patients (94%) the symptoms resolved completely and they were considered recovered. Two patients (6%) failed to improve and in these cases the treatment was considered ineffective.

Conclusion ESWT is an effective therapy for trigger digits in II° i III° severity grade and may be an alternative for other, noninvasive measures such as physiotherapy or steroid injection.

Zusammenfassung

Hintergrund Aktuell wird die extrakorporale Stoßwellenbehandlung (ESWT) zur Behandlung unterschiedlicher Tendopathien verwendet, so auch bei der Tendovaginosis stenosans, dem Schnappfinger, respektive Schnappdaumen.

Ziel Die vorliegende Studie untersucht den Behandlungserfolg der ESWT bei Schnappfinger/daumen im kurz- und mittelfristigen Verlauf.

Patienten und Methoden Bei 32 Patienten, 28 Frauen und 4 Männer, mit einem mittleren Alter von 60 Jahren mit 50 Schnappfingern/daumen erfolgte eine lokale Stoßwellenbehandlung. Es erfolgten jeweils drei Anwendungen in einem Abstand von einer Woche. Der Behandlungserfolg wurde nach einer Woche und nach drei Monaten mittels Erfassung der Schmerzen mit der numerischen Analogskala und klinisch anhand der Froimson-Skala ermittelt.

Ergebnisse Nach einer Woche waren Schmerzen und das Schnappen bei 30 Patienten (94%) vollständig verschwunden bzw. deutlich reduziert. Nach drei Monaten waren 30 Patienten vollkomen symptomfrei, 2 zeigten keine Verbesserung und wurden als Versagen der Behandlung gewertet.

Schlussfolgerung Mit einer ESWT lässt sich ein Schnappfinger/daumen effektiv behandeln. Die ESWT ist entsprechend als Alternative zu anderen nicht-invasiven Behandlungsmethoden zu sehen.

Key words

Tendovaginosis stenosans - trigger finger - shock wave therapy

Schlüsselwörter

Tendovaginosis stenosans - Schnappfinger - Stoßwellenbehandlung

Publication History

Received: 02 January 2020

Accepted: 30 January 2020

Article published online:
05 March 2020

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