[Treatment of De Quervain's tendinopathy with conservative methods].

De Quervain's tendinopathy affects the region of the wrist and the hand. Thumb motion becomes painful. This illness is caused by a degenerative process rather than inflammation. Primary treatment methods are splinting, taking non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs and different physical therapeutic modalities, administration of a steroid injection into the tendon sheath or surgical release of the tendon sheath may be performed. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether conservative treatment complemented by eccentric training could provide an adequate alternative to the currently accepted treatment options. The eccentric training lasted for 8 weeks (if necessary for 12 weeks). Following the introduction to exercises, patients (n = 9) repeated the training several times a day, which was controlled during weekly meetings. At the 1st, 8th and 12th meetings, inspection and the following measurements were performed: range of motion, muscle strength, evaluation and number of painful regions including the completion of patient questionnaires. Data were analysed with paired samples t-tests and repeated measures ANOVA. IBM SPSS Statistics 25.0 and Microsoft Office Excel Professional Plus 2016 programs were used. Results were regarded significant at level of p<0.05. Significant improvements were found in the intensity of pain (Numeric Pain Rating Scale p = 0.005, n = 9) and in the functionality of the hand and wrist (Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand questionnaire part 1. p<0.001, part 2. p<0.001, Patient-Rated Wrist Evaluation questionnaire p<0.001; n = 9). With careful patient selection, conservative treatment complemented by eccentric training could be an alternative to current treatment options. Orv Hetil. 2020; 161(11): 419-424.