Ultrasound versus palpation‐guided corticosteroid injection for de Quervain disease: A randomized controlled trial

Introduction Corticosteroid injection effectively treats de Quervain disease, and due to the high prevalence of the intracompartmental septum in the first extensor compartment, ultrasound guidance improves injection accuracy. Objective To compare the effectiveness, adverse events, and the recurrence rate between ultrasound‐guided and palpation‐guided injection in patients with de Quervain disease. Design Prospective, single‐blind, randomized controlled trial. Setting Rehabilitation department of a private teaching hospital. Participants We enrolled 49 patients, ≥20 years of age, clinically diagnosed with de Quervain disease based on their medical history and physical examination. Interventions Patients were randomized into two groups: ultrasound‐guided and palpation‐guided injection. Both groups received a mixture of 10 mg triamcinolone acetonide (10 mg/1 mL) and 0.3 mL 1% lidocaine. Main Outcome Measures The primary outcome measure was the Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (QuickDASH) score at 1 week. The secondary outcome measures were visual analog scale for pain (pain VAS) score, patient satisfaction, and adverse events or complications from the interventions at 1 week, 3 months, and 6 months. Results Both groups showed improvement over time in QuickDASH scores and pain VAS ( p < .001); however, no statistically significant differences were noted between the groups for either QuickDASH scores ( p = .22) or pain VAS ( p = .30). In addition, no statistically significant differences were found between the groups in terms of patient satisfaction ( p = .76) and adverse events ( p = .47, .33, .58) at the 1‐week, 3‐month, and 6‐month follow‐ups. Conclusions Both ultrasound‐guided and palpation‐guided injections effectively treated de Quervain disease. During a 6‐month follow‐up, there were no statistically significant differences between the groups in pain relief, upper limb function, or patient satisfaction. However, the palpation‐guided group showed a tendency for more recurrence and skin side effects.