Physiotherapy Management of Right Trigger Finger with Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) and Active Exercise: a Case Report
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Abstract
Background: Trigger finger is a stenosing tenosynovitis characterized by pain, locking, and restricted finger movement due to thickening of the flexor tendon and narrowing of the A1 pulley. Persistent symptoms can impair hand function, limit daily activities, and reduce quality of life. Conservative physiotherapy is commonly used to alleviate symptoms and restore functional movement. Objective: This case report aimed to evaluate the clinical outcomes of Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) combined with active exercise in the physiotherapy management of right trigger finger. Methods: A 46-year-old woman with right trigger finger received four physiotherapy sessions at the Physiotherapy Department of RSUD Gondo Suwarno Ungaran. The intervention consisted of TENS followed by active exercise. Clinical outcomes were assessed using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) for pain, goniometry for finger range of motion, Manual Muscle Testing (MMT) for muscle strength, and the Wrist Hand Disability Index (WHDI) for functional status. Assessments were performed before and after the intervention. Results: Pain decreased progressively, with movement pain declining from 4/10 to 3/10, tenderness from 5/10 to 3/10, and resting pain from 2/10 to 1/10. Finger mobility improved, particularly at the proximal and distal interphalangeal joints, while muscle strength remained at grade 5. The WHDI score decreased from 24 (48%, severe disability) to 11 (22%, minimal disability). Conclusion: TENS combined with active exercise improved pain, finger mobility, and hand function in this patient with right trigger finger and may serve as a practical conservative physiotherapy intervention.
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