Effectiveness of corticosteroid injection in the treatment of De Quervain`s stenosing tenosynovitis

Introduction: De Quervain`s tenosynovitis is a condition that involves stenosis of the first dorsal compartment of wrist, which contain abductor pollicis longus and extensor pollicis brevis running through it, resulting in wrist pain and impaired wrist movement. Treatment method includes immobilization, steroid injections and surgical intervention. The aim of this study was to determine the outcome of corticosteroid injection in patients with De Quervain`s tenosynovitis. Materials and Methods: In this study a total of 48 patients with De Quervain`s tenosynovitis confirmed by clinical examination, USG and pain interfering with daily activities of life, managed with corticosteroid injection were taken into study. Treatment efficacy was measured by assessing reduction in severity of pain and tenderness on the radial side of wrist and negative Finkelstein test. The severity of pain was noted on Visual analogue scale (VAS 0-10) before and after intervention. Results: At 3 weeks, short-term responses included complete or nearly complete control of signs and symptoms in 28 (58.33%) patients, with zero VAS. 11 (22.92%) patients experienced partial response. Only 9 (18.75%) patients failed to show significant changes after the first injection. At six weeks follow-up 45 (93.75%) patients were symptoms free and fully satisfied with the results. We found no recurrence except 3 (6.25%) in this series of patients after 24 weeks of follow-up. Conclusion: We conclude that one or two local steroid injections in the first dorsal compartment leads to early improvement in patients with de Quervain's tenosynovitis.