Publication Date: 2023/02/18
Abstract: Background and Need:- Trigger finger being one of the common causes of pain and disability in the hand, is thought to be caused by inflammation and narrowing of the A1 pulley. Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT) which is commonly used to treat varied orthopaedic conditions, works by correcting the mechanical insufficiency related to trigger finger. This article aims to give an overview of ESWT in reducing pain, stiffness and improving range of motion in patients with trigger finger. Methods:- 570 articles were retrieved from databases viz. PubMed, Science Direct and Google Scholar. Considering the inclusion and exclusion criteria, five studies were found eligible for this review that consisted of interventional and cohort studies. Results:- Two randomised controlled trials found significant reduction in pain intensity and severity of triggering, but did not show any significant differences in functional impact of triggering. Alternately, two non-randomised trials and one retrospective cohort study showed reduced pain levels and increased general functional capacity, grip strength, pinch strength and range of motion. Conclusion:- ESWT can be consider as a safe and effective treatment in alleviating pain and general function in patients with trigger finger. However, these findings need to be confirmed by future trials and establish the short- and long-term effects of ESWT on pain, range of motion, strength and function in the management of trigger finger.
Keywords: ESWT, Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy, Trigger Finger, Trigger Finger Disorder
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.7652695
PDF: https://ijirst.demo4.arinfotech.co/assets/upload/files/IJISRT23FEB626.pdf
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