The Impact of Prolotherapy and Steroid Injection on De Quervain's Tenosynovitis: A Retrospective Outcome Study

Aim: Patients with De Quervain's stenosing tenosynovitis (DQT) experience problems in daily living activities due to the chronic inflammatory process and tenderness around the wrist. This study aimed to compare the effects of prolotherapy and steroid injection on short-term functional outcomes in DQT patients. Methods: In this retrospective study between January 2022 and 2023, a cohort of 34 patients with complete demographic data and elbow pain and functional scores which recorded at pre-treatment, two weeks, and six weeks post-treatment, was divided into the steroid injection (n=17) and prolotherapy (n=17) groups. Demographic and clinical data of all patients were recorded. The outcomes of Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) score for wrist pain, and Quick Disability Assessment of Arm, Shoulder, and Hand Problems (QuickDASH) and the Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) for wrist functions were examined. Results: Initial assessments did not reveal any differences between groups in VAS (p=0.756), QuickDASH (p=0.168), and HAQ (p=0.615). In the second week post-treatment, there was a significant reduction in VAS, QuickDASH, and HAQ in steroid injection compared to the prolotherapy (p=0.001). This difference continued at sixth-week post-treatment; VAS (p=0.007), QuickDASH (p=0.003), and HAQ (p=0.011) were significantly lower in steroid injection than in the prolotherapy. Conclusion: The findings underscore the superior efficacy of steroid injection in alleviating wrist pain and enhancing functional outcomes compared to prolotherapy among patients with DQT, as evidenced by sustained improvements at six-week follow-up. These findings benefit orthopedic settings in choosing treatment options logically, though further research is needed to understand long-term effects and mechanisms.