Efficacy of kinesiologic taping in de Quervain's tenosynovitis: Case series and review of literature

Abstract

Objective: Kinesiologic tapes are used for therapeutic purposes to reduce the pain, improve the bioelectrical activity of the muscles, and to reduce the edema. The repetitive movements of the abductor pollicis longus and extensor pollicis brevis muscles result in pain in wrist. This is called De Quervain tenosynovitis. The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of kinesiologic taping as a conservative treatment method for de Quervain's tenosynovitis. Methods: Fifteen patients between 20 and 60 years of age who were treated with kinesiologic taping for De Quervain's tenosynovitis included in the study. The pain and function scores before and after the implementation of kinesiologic taping were gathered from patient files. Pain was measured using the visual analog scale (VAS), and functions were evaluated using the quick disabilities of the arm, shoulder, and hand (Q DASH) score and Michigan Hand Outcomes Questionnaire. The differences between the pre and post-treatment scores were observed to determine the efficacy of kinesiologic taping in the treatment of de Quervain's tenosynovitis. Results: All but three of the 15 patients showed improvement in pain and functional scores (VAS, Q DASH, Michigan). Favorable outcomes were obtained with kinesiologic taping in terms of pain and function scores in 12 out of 15 patients included in our study indicates that kinesiologic taping is a feasible and useful technique in de Quervain's disease. None of the patients suffered from any complications. Conclusion: We pointed that kinesiologic taping is an effective treatment method for de Quervain's tenosynovitis in terms of pain and function with no complication. According to this study kinesiologic taping is a good alternative in the conservative treatment of de Quervain's tenosynovitis.