High and Low Level Laser Therapy in De Quervain's Tenosynovitis

Comparison of the Efficacy of High and Low Level Laser Therapy in the Treatment of De Quervain's Tenosynovitis: a Randomized Controlled Trial

The aim in this study was to compare the effects of high and low power laser treatments in the treatment of de Quervein tenosynovitis clinically and ultrasonographically.

De Quervain's tenosynovitis is tenosynovitis of the abductor pollicis longus (APL) and extensor pollicis brevis (EPB) tendons. Conservative management includes nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, wrist and thumb immobilization, ultrasound, and low-level laser therapy (LLLT). According to early literature, low-level laser therapy and ultrasound therapy appear to produce similar biological effects in reducing inflammation and promoting tissue healing.

In a study low-power laser therapy was found to be effective compared to placebo in de Quervain's tenosynovitis.

In a study of 35 female patients, low-power laser therapy (LLLT) combined with a thumb-supported splint was not superior to splint alone in patients with de Quervain's tenosynovitis.

In a more recent study low-power laser therapy was found to be similarly effective to ultrasound therapy.

The investigators found no studies in the literature on the effect of high-power laser therapy. The aim in this study was to compare the effects of high and low power laser treatments in the treatment of de Quervein tenosynovitis clinically and ultrasonographically.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Between18-65 years of age
• Wrist pain for more than 3 weeks
• Finkelstein test positive
• Ability to understand commands

Exclusion Criteria:

• Physical therapy, injections, or surgery in the upper extremity in the last 3 months
• Fracture or trauma in the upper extremity in the last 6 months
• Radiating pain due to cervical discopathy
• Infection, loss of sensation, metal implant in the treatment area
• Inflammatory rheumatic diseases
• NSAID use
• Pregnancy or planning pregnancy during treatment
• Malignancy
• Pathology in the wrist on radiograph