FUNCTIONAL DIAGNOSTICS AND PHYSIOTHERAPEUTIC TREATMENT IN DE QUERVAIN SYNDROME

De Quervain syndrome involves the inflammation of the common tendon sheath of the abductor pollicis longus (APL) and the extensor pollicis brevis (EPB) in the region of the radial styloid process. This condition can be caused by microtraumas that occur in the course of repetitive mechanical activities and systemic diseases of the connective tissue, such as rheumatoid arthritis. The symptom of de Quervain syndrome is pain in the forearm at the height of the radial styloid process. The pain intensifies during the extension of the thumb. Other symptoms include redness and swelling in the region. The physical examination most often involves two tests: Finkelstein's test and Eichhoff's test. Physiotherapeutic treatment is an important element of conservative treatment of de Quervain syndrome. The article aims to present functional diagnostics and physiotherapeutic methods that are used in the treatment of de Quervain syndrome based on the available literature. The review used the division of therapeutic methods into three basic sections: kinesitherapy, physical therapy and therapeutic massage, and was expanded to include physioprophylaxis and education, kinesiotaping and acupuncture. The discussed publications noted a significant improvement in terms of reducing pain and functionality in patients with de Quervain syndrome using various physiotherapeutic methods and their combinations. Unfortunately, there is a small number of randomized clinical trials. Hence, it is difficult to draw clear conclusions about the most effective forms of treatment. Further research is required in order to achieve the integration of the most effective physiotherapeutic methods in the treatment of de Quervain syndrome and the assessment of its short and long-term effects.