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.

Clinical Utility of Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy on Hypertrophic Scars of the Hand Caused by Burn Injury: A Prospective, Randomized, Double-Blinded Study

“…Unlike steroid therapy, ESWT studies have shown that ESWT affects tenocyte regeneration, leading to an improvement in muscle strength. The effectiveness of ESWT compared with that of local steroid injections showed that ESWT had favorable effects on resolution of pain and improvement of grip strength [33,34]. In our study, we identified improvements in grip strength with ESWT, as well as improvement in simulated card-turning and the picking up of small objects.…”

“…These clinical benefits of ESWT were thought to be mediated by stimulation of dermal fibroblasts, neoangiogenesis, and improvement in the parallel organization of collagen fibers within the skin. Similarly, a beneficial effect of ESWT has been reported for the treatment of trigger finger complaints, resulting from enhanced repair and healing of the degenerated tendon [34]. Overall, as pain, pruritus, and decreased function negatively impact the quality of life after a burn, ESWT may have a global effect in improving quality of life after burn injuries [35].…”

The Effect of Radial Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy in the Treatment of Trigger Finger

“…According to the results of the study, ESWT can be an effective therapy for trigger fingers in 2. and 3. The severity grade may be an alternative for a non-invasive method such as steroid injection [28]. Another study found similar results in pain on the effectiveness of ESWT in trigger finger treatment [29].…”

Does shockwave therapy have a role on trigger thumb?—a single-case design

“…The pressure was applied to the patient's tender areas at the base of the thumb, and the midpoint of the adductor longus was gradually increased with a pressure of 1kg/cm 2 until the patient was instructed to "stop. " The pressure increased at the first spot at the base of the thumb was found to be sensitive at 0.3kg/cm 2 and mid-point at 2nd spot adductor longus sensitive at 0.8k/cm 2 [11]. A digital ABS hand dynamometer device was used to assess the grip strength of the patient bilaterally to compare the difference in strength (Figs.…”