Phonophoresis Versus Low Level Laser Therapy on Dequervain Tenosynovitis after Delivery

Abstract Background: De Quervain’s tenosynovitis (DQV) is a painful condition affecting two tendons of the abductor pollicis longus and extensor pollicis brevis that control movement of the thumb and extend to the wrist joint that affects physical function. So, it is necessary to decrease pain in De Quervain’s tenosynovitis. Aim of Study: To compare between the efficacy of Phono-phoresis and Low-level laser therapy on De Quervain’s Teno-synovitis after delivery. Patients and Methods: This study was carried out on Forty multiparous women suffering from De Quervain’s Tenosynovi-tis (for at least 3 months after delivery), they were selected ran-domly from the outpatient clinic of Sadat General Hospital Al– Monofia. They were divided randomly into two groups equal in number as group (A) and group (B). Group (A) was consists of 20 patients, each patient in this group had received Ketoprofen phonophoresis on the tender point (at the base of the thumb) of her dominant hand for 5 minutes, 3 times/week, for 4 weeks. Also, each patient was asked to perform an exercise program in her dominant hand for 30 minutes, 3 times/week, for 4 weeks. Additionally, each patient was advised to wear a thumb spica splint all day and take it off during sleeping and taking a show-er throughout the treatment course (4 weeks). Group (B) was consists of 20 patients, each patient in this group had received LLLT on the tender point (at the base of the thumb) of her dom-inant hand for 90 seconds, 3 times/week, for 4 weeks. Also, each patient was asked to perform an exercise program in her dominant hand for 30 minutes, 3 times/week, for 4 weeks. Ad-ditionally, each patient was advised to wear a thumb spica splint all day and take it off during sleep and taking a shower through-out the treatment course (4 weeks). All patients in both groups (A&B) were evaluated by Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and measuring serum cortisol level in blood plasma before starting and after the end of treatment program. Results: Both groups showed a statistically significant de-crease in both visual analogue scale and serum cortisol level after treatment, Group (A) achieved percentage of decrease in visual analogue scale by 80.52% and achieved percentage of decrease in serum cortisol level by 61.33% while group (B) achieved percentage of decrease in visual analogue scale by 15.0% and achieved percentage of decrease in serum cortisol level by 7.75%. By comparing 2 groups (A&B) it was found that percentage of decrease in VAS and serum cortisol level in group (A) was more pronounced and more notable when com-pared with group (B). This means that ketoprofen phonopho-resis was more effective than LLLT in decreasing Dequervain tenosynovitis after delivery. Conclusion: Phonophoresis was more effective than Low level laser therapy in relieving De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis after delivery.