Effectiveness of Ultrasound-Guided Platelet-Rich Plasma Injection Compared with Triamcinolone Hexacetonide in Improving Pain and Function in Patients with De Quervain?s Tenosynovitis: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Wuppi Miku, Naorem Bimol, Yendrembam Anamika Chanu, Thingbaijam Bidyarani, Gokul Muralidharan, Ningthoujam Puni

Abstract: Background: De Quervain's tenosynovitis is a stenosing tendinopathy of the first dorsal compartment tendons, commonly affecting women and individuals performing repetitive wrist and thumb movements. Corticosteroid injections provide rapid symptom relief but carry risks of recurrence and local adverse effects. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP), rich in growth factors, has emerged as a potential regenerative therapy. This study aimed to compare the efficacy of ultrasound-guided PRP injection versus triamcinolone hexacetonide in improving pain and function in patients with De Quervain's tenosynovitis. Methods: A randomized controlled trial was conducted in the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Regional Institute of Medical Sciences, Imphal. Fifty-two patients aged 20?60 years with clinically diagnosed De Quervain's tenosynovitis were randomized to receive either ultrasound-guided PRP (n=26) or triamcinolone hexacetonide (n=26) injection. Pain and upper limb function were assessed using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and Quick Disabilities of Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (Quick DASH) scores at baseline, 1 week, 4 weeks, 12 weeks, and 24 weeks post-injection. Data were analyzed using repeated measures ANOVA and independent t-test. Results: Baseline characteristics were comparable between groups. Both groups showed significant improvement in VAS and Quick DASH scores at all follow-up intervals. The steroid group demonstrated greater improvement at 4 weeks (VAS: p=0.047), whereas the PRP group showed superior long-term outcomes at 12 and 24 weeks (VAS: p=0.000; Quick DASH: p=0.000). At 24 weeks, mean VAS improved from 9.16±0.74 to 1.04±0.80 in the PRP group and from 9.08±0.74 to 3.67±1.34 in the steroid group. Conclusion: Both ultrasound-guided PRP and triamcinolone hexacetonide injections effectively reduced pain and improved function in De Quervain's tenosynovitis. While steroids provided faster short-term relief, PRP demonstrated superior and sustained improvement over 24 weeks, suggesting its potential as a regenerative alternative, particularly in patients contraindicated for steroid use.

Keywords: Platelet-rich plasma (PRP), Visual analogue scale (VAS), Quick DASH -Quick disabilities of arm shoulder and hand

How to Cite?: Wuppi Miku, Naorem Bimol, Yendrembam Anamika Chanu, Thingbaijam Bidyarani, Gokul Muralidharan, Ningthoujam Puni, "Effectiveness of Ultrasound-Guided Platelet-Rich Plasma Injection Compared with Triamcinolone Hexacetonide in Improving Pain and Function in Patients with De Quervain?s Tenosynovitis: A Randomized Controlled Trial", Volume 15 Issue 5, May 2026, International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR), Pages: 802-807, https://www.ijsr.net/getabstract.php?paperid=SR26512215108, DOI: https://dx.dx.doi.org/10.21275/SR26512215108

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