Splint Versus Steroid Randomized Trial

Splint Versus Steroid Injection for DeQuervain's Tenosynovitis: A Randomized Trial

The primary aim is to compare the effectiveness of splinting versus steroid injection in improving the DASH scores in participants diagnosed with De Quervain's tenosynovitis over a period of 6 months.

The primary hypothesis is that steroid injection into the first dorsal compartment is more effective compared with splinting at 3 months.

The secondary hypothesis is that steroid injection yields better clinical outcomes compared with splinting at 1 month, 3 months and 6 months.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Confirmed diagnosis of de Quervain's tenosynovitis based on the de Quervain's screening tool (DQST) with scores ≥ 5 (refer to table 1)
• No prior treatment
• Above 21 years of age

Exclusion Criteria:

• Allergy to steroid (triamcinolone acetate) or local anaesthetic (lignocaine)
• History of work related trauma