[Capsular hydrodilatation versus kinesitherapy as initial treatment of finger capsulitis]

To evaluate the effectiveness of early capsular ultrasound-guided hydrodilatation (HD) of the proximal interphalangeal or metacarpophalangeal joints in reducing joint stiffness and shortening kinesitherapy, as well as in improving hand functionality.

We performed a one-year quasi-experimental pretest-posttest study with a control group in patients with proximal interphalangeal or metacarpophalangeal capsulitis in complex regional pain syndrome stages 2 or 3. Inclusion criteria consisted of age over 18 years, visual analogue scale<4 points and the absence of prior treatment. The control group received only kinesitherapy and the experimental group received capsular HD before kinesitherapy. There were 10 patients per group. The main measures were range of motion, active grip, Spanish validated Michigan Hand Outcomes Questionnaire and the number of kinesitherapy sessions required.

At baseline, the range of motion of the proximal proximal interphalangeal joint was 20° worse in the experimental group (P=.01). There were no statistically significant differences in the other baseline characteristics. Immediate gain in range of motion after HD was 61.71% (P=.024). No significant improvements were observed in functionality except in active grip after 2 weeks of HD (P=.02) and one month later compared with the control group (P=.014). The number of kinesitherapy sessions required was 19.6±10.42 (95% CI) in the HD group and 29.4±8.11 (95% CI) in the control group (P>.05).

Capsular HD could be considered as an initial treatment in finger joint stiffness because of the significant immediate improvement in range of motion. It is also an innovative technique in these joints with a short learning curve. The technique can be safely and effectively performed in a physiatry consulting room.