A comparative study evaluating the therapeutic efficacy of long wave diathermy and ultrasound in reducing pain and improving function in de quervain’s tenosynovitis

Background: De Quervain’s tenosynovitis is a painful and disabling condition that affects the tendons of the abductor pollicis longus and extensor pollicis brevis within the first dorsal compartment of the wrist. It is commonly seen in individuals engaged in repetitive hand or wrist movements, such as those using smartphones, lifting infants, or performing occupational activities. The resulting inflammation causes pain, swelling, and restriction in thumb and wrist motion, leading to compromised hand function and quality of life. Physiotherapeutic modalities like Long Wave Diathermy (LWD) and Ultrasound (US) have been widely used for their thermal and mechanical effects in promoting soft tissue healing, reducing inflammation, and relieving pain. However, comparative evidence on their efficacy in De Quervain’s tenosynovitis is limited. Objective: This study aimed to compare the therapeutic efficacy of Long Wave Diathermy and Ultrasound therapy in reducing pain intensity and improving wrist function in patients diagnosed with De Quervain’s tenosynovitis. Methods: A total of 36 participants aged between 20 and 50 years with clinically diagnosed De Quervain’s tenosynovitis were recruited from the Physiotherapy Department at Career College, Bhopal. The participants were randomly allocated into two equal groups: Group A received Long Wave Diathermy (15 minutes/session, 5 days/week) along with standard stretching and splinting protocols; Group B received Ultrasound therapy (1 MHz, 1.5 W/cm² pulsed mode, 7 minutes/session, 5 days/week) along with the same exercise protocol. Both groups underwent treatment for a period of four weeks. The primary outcome measures were the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) for pain and the Patient-Rated Wrist Evaluation (PRWE) for functional assessment. Pre- and post-treatment scores were analyzed using appropriate statistical methods. Results: Both Group A and Group B showed significant improvements in VAS and PRWE scores after 4 weeks of intervention (p < 0.05). However, inter-group comparison revealed that Group A demonstrated significantly greater reductions in pain and better functional gains than Group B (p < 0.01). These findings indicate the superior clinical efficacy of Long Wave Diathermy over Ultrasound therapy in managing the symptoms associated with De Quervain’s tenosynovitis. Conclusion: The study concludes that Long Wave Diathermy is more effective than Ultrasound in alleviating pain and restoring wrist function in individuals with De Quervain’s tenosynovitis. It offers a safe, non-invasive, and efficient therapeutic option that can be integrated into conservative physiotherapy treatment plans for better patient outcomes.