CASE REPORT - The conservative treatment of trigger thumb using Graston techniques and ART

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J Can Chiropr Assoc. 2006 December; 50(4): 249–254.

PMCID: PMC1864591

The conservative treatment of Trigger Thumb using Graston Techniques

and Active Release Techniques®

Howitt, DC, FCCSS©, FCCRS©,* Jerome Wong, DC, and Sonja Zabukovec, DC

Objective

To detail the progress of a patient with unresolved symptoms of

Trigger thumb who underwent a treatment plan featuring Active Release

Technique (ART) and Graston Technique.

Clinical Features

The most important feature is painful snapping or restriction of

movement, most notably in actively extending or flexing the digit. The

cause of this flexor tendinopathy is believed to be multi-factorial

including anatomical variations of the pulley system and biomechanical

etiologies such as exposure to shear forces and unaccustomed activity.

Conventional treatment aims at decreasing inflammation through

corticosteroid injection or surgically removing imposing tissue.

Intervention and Outcome

The conservative treatment approach utilized in this case involved

Active Release Technique (ART®) and Graston Technique (GT). An

activity specific rehabilitation protocol was employed to re-establish

thumb extensor strength and ice was used to control pain and any

residual inflammation. Outcome measures included subjective pain

ratings with range of motion and motion palpation of the first right

phalangeal joint. Objective measures were made by assessing range of

motion.

Conclusion

A patient with trigger thumb appeared to be relieved of his pain and

disability after a treatment plan of GT and ART.

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Read the entire article here:

http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?artid=1864591

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Not an MD