300 Section - Comparing the Effects of Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy and Splinting in the Treatment of Trigger Finger

A double-blind randomized controlled trial.

Grade I–III trigger finger patients attending the outpatient rehabilitation clinic at Ramathibodi Hospital between January and July 2025 were recruited. A total of 24 participants were randomly assigned to two group. The ESWT group received focused shockwave therapy at an energy flux density of 0.01 mJ/mm² with 1,500 impulses weekly for 4 weeks, combined with a sham splint. The splinting group wore a modified metacarpophalangeal blocking splint for at least 8 hours per day for 6 weeks and received sham shockwave therapy. The primary outcome was the Visual Analog Scale (VAS). Secondary outcomes included the Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (QuickDASH) score and the number of triggering. Outcomes were assessed at weeks 4 and 6.

Results:

The baseline characteristics were no significantly difference between two groups. Both groups demonstrated statistically significant improvements in the VAS, QuickDASH scores, and the number of triggering at weeks 4 and 6 compared with baseline. The mean (95% CI) VAS scores for the ESWT group at baseline, 4 weeks and 6 weeks were 5.67 (4.52 – 6.81), 3.50 (2.36 – 4.64) and 2.42 (1.27 – 3.56) respectively. For the splinting group, the corresponding scores were 4.00 (2.86 – 5.14), 2.42 (1.27 – 3.56) and 2.58 (1.44 – 3.73). However, no statistically significant differences in outcome changes were observed between two treatment groups at any follow-up time point.

Conclusion:

Both extracorporeal shockwave therapy and splinting were effective in reducing pain and improving hand function in grade I–III trigger finger patients, with no significant difference between the two treatment modalities. These findings suggest that both interventions are viable non-surgical treatment options for trigger finger.