The Role of Platelet Rich Plasma in Comparison with Corticosteroids in the Treatment of De Quervain Tenosynovitis

Abstract Background: De Quervain's disease (DQVD) is the sten-osing tenosynovitis of tendons in the first extensor compart-ment. Its diagnosis is made clinically by Finkelstein test. Musculoskeletal ultrasound (MSUS) is used to confirm the diagnosis and for the follow-up after injection. One of the non-surgical strategies of treatment is platelet rich plasma (PRP) injection. Aim of Study: To evaluate the effects of PRP in the treatment of DQVD in comparison with corticosteroid (CS) injection. Subjects and Methods: 40 hands of 35 patients were included. 20 hands received single CS injection (group I) and the other 20 hands were injected with PRP (group II). Patients were evaluated using Visual analogue scale (VAS), Jebsen Hand Function Test (JHFT), the shortened disabilities of the arm, shoulder and hand questionnaire (Quick DASH), and the examination of the contents of the first dorsal compartment by MSUS at baseline, one and six months after the injection. Healthy side of patients were considered as control group (30 hands). Results: Overall, 31 females and 4 males were included with 20 hands in each group. The CS group had better pain relief, hand function tests and ultrasonograghic findings at 1 month, but at 6 months follow-up, the PRP group had statis-tically significant better pain relief, hand function tests and US findings than CS group. Conclusion: PRP injection is an effective treatment option for those patients with DQVD. The patients improved in pain intensity, disability and ultrasound findings. It is better than CS in the intermediate term by its ability to induce self-healing with no side effects.