Manual physical therapy examination and intervention of a patient with radial wrist pain: a case report

STUDY DESIGN: Clinical case report. OBJECTIVES: To describe a manual physical therapy examination and intervention approach for a patient with radial-sided wrist pain. BACKGROUND: A 55-year-old woman with a 2-year history of chronic right wrist and forearm pain was referred to physical therapy with a diagnosis of de Quervain's disease. Her current symptoms were present for 6 weeks despite primary care management with wrist splinting and medications. Previous episodes were partially resolved following occupational therapy treatments. METHODS AND MEASURES: Examination of the patient's wrist and hand revealed isolated radiocarpal, intercarpal, and carpometacarpal joint dysfunctions. Evaluation of the cervical spine, shoulder, and elbow were negative. Impairment-based treatment was provided during 8 visits over a 4-week period. These treatments consisted of manual physical therapy techniques and self-mobilizations applied to the radiocarpal, intercarpal, and carpometacarpal joints. RESULTS: The initial treatment session decreased the patient's numeric pain rating scale (NPRS) from 7/10 to 4/10 and improved her functional rating on the Patient-Specific Functional Scale (PSFS) from an average of 4/10 to 8.2/10. At treatment completion, she achieved a pain-free state (NPRS, 0/10) and nearly full function (PSFS, 9.8/10). These results were maintained at a long-term follow-up performed 10 months after treatment. CONCLUSION: Several diagnoses have the potential for causing or referring pain into the radial wrist and forearm region, often times mimicking de Quervain's disease. An impairment-based manual physical therapy model may be an effective approach in identifying joint dysfunctions and managing patients with radial wrist pain.     

Randomised controlled trial of local corticosteroid injections for de Quervain's tenosynovitis in general practice

Background  

De Quervain's tenosynovitis is a stenosing tenosynovitis of the first dorsal compartment of the wrist and leads to wrist pain and to impaired function of the wrist and hand. It can be treated by splinting, local corticosteroid injection and operation. In this study effectiveness of local corticosteroid injections for de Quervain's tenosynovitis provided by general practitioners was assessed.     

Tendon subluxation after de Quervain's release: treatment by brachioradialis tendon flap

Volar subluxation of the tendons of the first dorsal compartment of the wrist occurred in two patients after surgery for treatment of de Quervain's stenosing tenosynovitis. In both patients a painful tenosynovitis of the extensor pollicis brevis and abductor pollicis longus developed, which was unresponsive to conservative therapy as the tendons prolapsed over the prominence of the first dorsal compartment. A distally based flap of the brachioradialis tendon was used to prevent tendon prolapse, with both patients asymptomatic and free of subluxation one and five years after operation.     

Extensor triggering in de Quervain's stenosing tenosynovitis

Extensor triggering is an uncommon but recognized component of de Quervain's stenosing tenosynovitis. In a retrospective review of 827 patients with the diagnosis of de Quervain's disease over a 5-year period, 11 patients with 13 affected wrists were identified who had demonstrable triggering by both history and physical examination (prevalence of 1.3%). One wrist underwent surgical release without conservative treatment. The remaining 12 wrists were initially treated with nonoperative modalities. Failure of conservative treatment as defined by recurrent triggering and pain occurred in 7 wrists, of which 5 underwent surgical release. At the time of surgery, all wrists were noted to have synovitis, separate compartments for the extensor pollicis brevis and abductor pollicis longus tendons, and no intratendinous nodules. After an average follow-up period of 42 months (range, 5.7-94.5 months) there were no recurrences of triggering after surgical treatment. Seven of 12 wrists with triggering de Quervain's stenosing tenosynovitis failed nonoperative treatment. Triggering or locking in extension is an uncommon symptom in de Quervain's stenosing tenosynovitis and demonstrates a more recalcitrant course when treated nonoperatively.     

"Postpartum/newborn" de Quervain's tenosynovitis of the wrist

De Quervain's tenosynovitis is a common wrist ailment involving the abductor pollicis longus and extensor pollicis brevis tendons of the first dorsal compartment. Etiology is thought to be overuse or trauma. The specific entity of "postpartum/newborn" de Quervain's tenosynovitis has not been described in the orthopedic literature. Affected individuals in the setting of infant care tend to be younger (33 years) and to have bilateral involvement; they may or may not be the birth mothers. Nonoperative treatment was successful in most (77%) of the postpartum/newborn cases reviewed here; operative treatment was successful in the rest.     

Finkelstein's versus Brunelli's test in De Quervain tenosynovitis

This short paper demonstrates that the Finkelstein's test in De Quervain's tenosynovitis is based on an incorrect assumption. The correct basis for a pathognomic manoeuvre in De Quervain is the provocation of tendons attrition of the first wrist dorsal compartment against their pulley which elicits pain. The Brunelli's test induces this friction and pain by asking the patient to hardly adduct the thumb with the wrist in radial deviation.     

Management of a patient with a forearm fracture and median nerve injury

STUDY DESIGN: Case report. OBJECTIVES: Patients with peripheral nerve injury may demonstrate long-lasting impairments and functional limitations. In this case report, we describe the diagnosis of a patient with a peripheral nerve injury and a conventional plan of care, along with the novel intervention of neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES). We feel that the additional NMES intervention was instrumental in achieving more rapid functional improvements than the more traditional interventions that are reported in the literature. BACKGROUND: The patient was a 21-year-old male who sustained a forearm fracture that was complicated by injury to the anterior interosseous branch of the median nerve. He was unable to flex the interphalangeal (IP) joint of his thumb, had decreased strength of thenar eminence musculature, and was unable to perform fine motor activities with his hand. METHODS AND MEASURES: Electrophysiological tests revealed partial denervation of the flexor pollicis longus and pronator quadratus muscles. In the fifth physical therapy session, NMES to the flexor pollicis longus and thenar muscles was added to the patient's conventional plan of care. RESULTS: With a conventional ROM and strengthening plan of care, no improvement was seen in thumb IP joint flexion over a period of 2 weeks. After 3 sessions of NMES and conventional interventions, gains in active ROM were made in thumb IP joint flexion. After 9 sessions of NMES and conventional interventions, force of thumb IP flexion was registered on a pinch dynamometer. Twenty weeks after initial examination, strength and ROM measures had improved and the patient reported no functional deficits. CONCLUSIONS: The patient showed gains in strength of the thumb IP joint after a few NMES sessions, which suggests that NMES was a helpful adjunct to the plan of care, even though the precise mechanism underlying the functional gains are not known.     

The biomechanics of a thumb carpometacarpal immobilization splint: design and fitting.

Splinting for the common osteoarthritis of the carpometacarpal (CMC) joint of the thumb is infrequently described in the literature, but the few splints that are described include one or both adjacent joints. This paper describes the design and biomechanics of a custom-molded thumb CMC immobilization splint that excludes the thumb metacarpophalangeal and wrist joints. The problem of the imbalance of extrinsic extensor/abductor forces against the intrinsic flexor/adductor forces is described. The accompanying weakening of the thumb CMC capsule allows dorsal shifting of the proximal end of the metacarpal, producing pain. The splint described in this paper 1) prevents motion of the first metacarpal in relation to the other metacarpals, 2) prevents tilting (flexion) of the first metacarpal during pinch, and 3) allows unrestricted thumb metacarpal and wrist joint motion. Attention to detail during construction is required for an accurate pattern, precise positioning of the CMC joint during molding, accurate molding around the first metacarpal, and well-distributed pressure. This design may also be used for protection following thumb CMC arthroplasty or thumb CMC sprain or strain and as a base for thumb metacarpophalangeal and/or interphalangeal mobilization splinting.     

大多角骨切除加肌腱固定术治疗第一腕掌关节炎的疗效观察

目的介绍大多角骨切除加肌腱固定术治疗第一腕掌关节炎的手术方法及疗效。方法以大多角骨完全切除加部分桡侧腕屈肌腱固定第一掌骨基底部的方法治疗第一腕掌关节炎11例。测量患侧手术前后及健侧腕关节和拇指的活动度、握力和捏持力,进行统计学分析。结果11例中的10例随访1～3年,平均2年3个月,比较术后和术前腕关节及拇指活动范围和握力及捏持力,术后有明显的增加,术前、术后相比差异有统计学意义(P<0.01)。术后与健侧对比差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。结论大多角骨切除加桡侧腕屈肌腱固定第一掌骨基底部治疗第一腕掌关节炎是一种可行的方法值得临床推广。     

Patient satisfaction and outcomes of surgery for de Quervain's tenosynovitis.

A 3-part retrospective study was done to review the long-term results of surgery for de Quervain's tenosynovitis. Forty-three involved wrists in 43 consecutive patients who had surgery from 1991 to 1996 were followed by chart review, phone interview, and outpatient examination. At an average length of follow-up of 3 years there were 2 patients with recurrence of de Quervain's tenosynovitis (5%), 1 with radial sensory nerve injury (2%), and 1 with severe scar tenderness (2%). Complication was found to be significantly associated with patient dissatisfaction after surgery. A long duration of symptoms before surgery (> or = 10 months) was significantly associated with patient satisfaction. The cure rate of surgery, defined as the percentage of patients without postoperative complication, was 91%, with 88% of patients indicating full satisfaction. These findings suggest that (1) patient dissatisfaction is significantly associated with long-term complication after surgery, (2) surgery is more likely to be satisfactory for patients with a long duration of symptoms, and (3) surgical intervention is effective as definitive therapy for de Quervain's tenosynovitis.     

Atypical mycobacterium soft-tissue infection of the dorsal radial wrist: a possible complication of steroid injection for de Quervain's disease

Corticosteroid injection into the first dorsal compartment for acute de Quervain's tenosynovitis is an accepted form of therapy. Potential side effects include soft-tissue atrophy, tendon attrition, postinjection neuritis of the superficial radial nerve, systemic reactions, and infection. We present a patient with a Mycobacterium chelonei infection localized to the soft tissue overlying the first dorsal compartment, occurring 3 years after a triamcinolone injection into this area. Histological examination with the polarizing microscope revealed persistent steroid granules in the involved tissue. Successful treatment consisted of complete excision of the involved skin and subcutaneous tissue followed by delayed closure. Systemic antibiotics were not used.     

Arthroscopy in the Treatment of Fracture of the Trapezium

Fractures of the trapezium are rare and are usually treated by open reduction and internal fixation. The trapeziometacarpal joint is difficult to visualize with standard radiographic techniques; proper visualization of the joint surface of the scaphometacarpal and trapeziometacarpal joints is paramount. A 36-year-old male patient complained of isolated wrist pain and had limitation of wrist function after a motor vehicle accident. The injury was closed without obvious deformity. Radiographs showed a longitudinal shear fracture of the trapezium. Five days later, the patient was taken to surgery, and with standard wrist arthroscopy, a 1.9-mm arthroscope was inserted via the radial carpometacarpal (CMC) portal into the CMC joint. A probe was inserted via the ulnar CMC to manipulate and reduce the fragment. A bone clamp achieved reduction, and 0.035-inch K-wires provisionally stabilized the fragments. Compressive fixation was accomplished with a percutaneous mini Acutrak headless screw (Acumed, Hillsboro, OR). A thumb spica splint was placed for 3 weeks, and, subsequently, progressive mobilization and strengthening was provided. At 6 weeks, union, normal range of motion, and full strength were present, and at 18 months, the patient returned to his previous level of activity with an excellent outcome. Arthroscopy provides direct visualization and accurate restoration of articular congruity, yielding excellent results.     

单根肌腱多韧带重建治疗急性第一腕掌关节脱位

目的：探讨桡侧腕长伸肌腱重建第一腕掌关节周围4束韧带治疗急性第一腕掌关节脱位的临床疗效。方法：自2008年12月至2012年10月,对4例急性第一腕掌关节脱位的患者切开复位后采用单根桡侧腕长伸肌重建关节周围4组韧带,即背侧韧带,掌侧韧带,桡背侧韧带,第一、二掌骨间韧带;其中男3例,女1例;平均年龄38．7岁（22~63岁）。术后根据X线片、JAMAR握力测试、拇指关节活动范围（rangeofmotion,ROM）、活动时疼痛视觉模拟评分（visualanaloguescale,VAS）等指标评价手术效果。结果：所有患者获随访,时间6~40个月,平均19个月。术后伤口均I级愈合。术后1、3、6个月x线片未见第一腕掌关节脱位复发,关节间隙无明显狭窄退变。JAMAR握力测试患侧恢复至健侧的60％N90％。ROM测定3例屈伸、收展活动恢复正常,1例内收受限。拇指活动时疼痛VAS评分0-1分。结论：对于急性第一腕掌关节脱位,桡侧腕长伸肌腱重建关节周围韧带可恢复关节稳定性,改善功能。     

Calculation of flexor pollicis longus moment arm for wrist motion in a cadaver model validates the tenodesis effect for therapy

IntroductionSynergies of fingers and wrist motion have been incorporated into therapies for finger flexor tendon injuries to improve repair outcomes. Similar synergistic therapy strategies have not been well documented for the thumb.Purpose of the StudyThe purpose of this study was to investigate the extent to which wrist motion enables a synergistic effect at the thumb in a cadaveric model by measuring flexor pollicis longus excursion and calculating the moment arm of this tendon at the wrist joint.Study DesignThis is a basic science research.MethodsEight fresh-frozen cadaveric arms were obtained from our anatomical bequest program. The proximal arm was fixed in neutral pronation/supination position, and motion of the wrist was guided through either flexion/extension or radial/ulnar deviation. Fingers were fixed in extension, thumb interphalangeal and metacarpophalangeal joints were fixed in neutral extension, and the carpometacarpal joint was fixed at 30° palmar abduction. The flexor pollicis longus tendon was exposed proximal to the wrist crease and connected to a rotary potentiometer to measure tendon excursion. Optical markers were attached to the hand to capture kinematics. Wrists were moved from a neutral position over the range of flexion and extension and then from the neutral position through the range of radial to ulnar deviation. Moment arms were calculated.ResultsMoment arm calculation indicated that the flexor pollicis longus acts as a wrist flexor over the entire motion range and as a weak radial deviator at ulnarly-deviated positions.ConclusionsThis study provides a mechanistic rationale for passive interphalangeal joint motion in varying wrist positions when treating thumb flexor tendon injuries, with benefits seen primarily for wrist extension.     

Wrist arthrodesis using a Synthes wrist fusion plate

Thirty-nine patients were retrospectively reviewed after a wrist arthrodesis using a Synthes wrist fusion plate and iliac crest bone graft. Information was obtained from review of patient files, a questionnaire to assess pain, function and work status, and clinical assessment of grip strength, forearm rotation and fingers motion. All wrist fusions united except that the index carpometacarpal joint failed to unite in one patient. Thirty-seven patients were satisfied with the procedure, noting a reduction in wrist pain after fusion, but all reported some limitation of function. The wrist fusion plate was removed in six patients and a further four patients experienced minor symptoms over the dorsal aspect of the middle finger metacarpal.     

De quervain tenosynovitis of the wrist

De quervain disease, or stenosing tenosynovitis of the first dorsal compartment of the wrist, is a common wrist pathology. Pain results from resisted gliding of the abductor pollicis longus and the extensor pollicis brevis tendons in the fibro-osseus canal. de Quervain tenosynovitis of the wrist is more common in women than men. Diagnosis may be made on physical examination. Radiographs are helpful in ruling out offending bony pathology. Nonsurgical management, consisting of corticosteroid injections and supportive thumb spica splinting, is usually successful. In resistant cases, surgical release of the first dorsal compartment is done, taking care to protect the radial sensory nerve and identify all accessory compartments. Repair of the extensor retinaculum by step-cut lengthening or other techniques is rarely required.     

Fracture dislocation of carpometacarpal joints: a missed injury

Fracture dislocation of the carpometacarpal joints on the ulnar side of the hand is an uncommon injury. These are high-energy injuries seen in motorcyclists and boxers. The mechanism of injury involves violent, forceful dorsiflexion of the wrist combined with longitudinal impact on the closed hand. This article reports a case of fracture of the base of the middle finger with dislocation of the ring and little finger carpometacarpal joints. On first examination, a diagnosis of isolated, minimally-displaced, middle-metacarpal base fracture was made and deemed suitable for nonoperative management. The hand was splinted in a plaster-of-Paris slab. Later, a true lateral radiograph showed the exact nature of the injury. The fracture was successfully treated with closed reduction under general anesthesia and transfixation using Kirschner wires. Functional results were excellent with return to work at 10 weeks and excellent grip strength at 14 weeks. This injury may be missed in an acute setting in a busy accident and emergency unit. Swelling around the wrist with shortening of the knuckle should alert the clinician towards the possibility of such an injury. On routine anteroposterior view, overlap of joint surfaces, loss of parallelism, and asymmetry at the carpometacarpal joints should raise suspicion of the possibility of a subtle carpometacarpal injury. This article highlights the importance of a high index of suspicion, a true lateral radiograph, and careful evaluation of radiographs in diagnosing these injuries. Intensive postoperative physiotherapy is vital to achieving a satisfactory outcome.     

de Quervain’s tenosynovitis: a review of the rehabilitative options

de Quervain’s tenosynovitis is an overuse disease that involves a thickening of the extensor retinaculum, which covers the first dorsal compartment. A case study approach was utilized in this article to demonstrate many of the available medical and occupational therapy modalities to treat this condition. A 34-year-old right hand-dominant female who works in a daycare facility presents with radial side wrist pain during lifting activity for the past 4–6 weeks. The patient was diagnosed with de Quervain’s tenosynovitis and conservative care was initiated. Conservative care involved anti-inflammatory medication and corticosteroid injections as well as occupational therapy to include splinting, activity modification, modalities, manual treatment, and therapeutic exercise. Although conservative care assisted the patient with her symptoms initially, she returned with increased pain and discomfort after 2 months time. At that point, surgery was discussed and performed to release the first dorsal compartment as well as the sub-compartment. The patient was provided with a splint postoperatively and initiated occupational therapy for edema and scar management, therapeutic exercise, and desensitization. Ultimately, the patient was able to return to work pain free.