Conservative management of De Quervain's stenosing tenosynovitis: a case report.

OBJECTIVE: To chronicle the conservative treatment and management of a 32-year old female patient presenting with radial wrist pain of 4 months duration, diagnosed as De Quervain's stenosing tenosynovitis.

CLINICAL FEATURES: The primary clinical feature is wrist pain at the radial styloid with resultant impairment of wrist, hand, and thumb function.

INTERVENTION AND OUTCOME: The conservative treatment approach consisted of activity modification, Graston Technique(®), and eccentric training. Outcome measures included verbal pain rating scale, QuickDASH Disability/Symptom Score, and a return to activities of daily living (ADLs). The patient attained symptom resolution and at 6 month follow-up reported no recurrence of wrist pain.

CONCLUSION: A combination of conservative rehabilitation strategies may be used by chiropractors to treat De Quervain's stenosing tenosynovitis and allow for an individual to return to pain free ADLs in a timely manner.