Manual physical therapy examination and intervention of a patient with radial wrist pain: a case report.
METHODS
Clinical case report.


OBJECTIVE
To describe a manual physical therapy examination and intervention approach for a patient with radial-sided wrist pain.


BACKGROUND
A 55-year-old woman with a 2-year history of chronic right wrist and forearm pain was referred to physical therapy with a diagnosis of de Quervain's disease. Her current symptoms were present for 6 weeks despite primary care management with wrist splinting and medications. Previous episodes were partially resolved following occupational therapy treatments.


METHODS
Examination of the patient's wrist and hand revealed isolated radiocarpal, intercarpal, and carpometacarpal joint dysfunctions. Evaluation of the cervical spine, shoulder, and elbow were negative. Impairment-based treatment was provided during 8 visits over a 4-week period. These treatments consisted of manual physical therapy techniques and self-mobilizations applied to the radiocarpal, intercarpal, and carpometacarpal joints.


RESULTS
The initial treatment session decreased the patient's numeric pain rating scale (NPRS) from 7/10 to 4/10 and improved her functional rating on the Patient-Specific Functional Scale (PSFS) from an average of 4/10 to 8.2/10. At treatment completion, she achieved a pain-free state (NPRS, 0/10) and nearly full function (PSFS, 9.8/10). These results were maintained at a long-term follow-up performed 10 months after treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
Several diagnoses have the potential for causing or referring pain into the radial wrist and forearm region, often times mimicking de Quervain's disease. An impairment-based manual physical therapy model may be an effective approach in identifying joint dysfunctions and managing patients with radial wrist pain.
Walker
Michael J
MJ
Physical Therapy Service, General Leonard Wood Army Community, Hospital, Fort 64 Delafield, Fort Leonard Wood, MO 65473, USA. michael.walker@amedd.army.mil
D018771:Arthralgia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D010808:Physical Examination; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D013717:Tenosynovitis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D014955:Wrist Joint