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Physiotherapy Theory and Practice

An International Journal of Physical Therapy

ISSN: 0959-3985 (Print) 1532-5040 (Online) Journal homepage: https://www.tandfonline.com/loi/iptp20

Manual therapy for work-related wrist pain in a


manual physical therapist

Alexandra R. Anderson & Craig P. Hensley

To cite this article: Alexandra R. Anderson & Craig P. Hensley (2019): Manual therapy for
work-related wrist pain in a manual physical therapist, Physiotherapy Theory and Practice, DOI:
10.1080/09593985.2019.1686671

To link to this article: https://doi.org/10.1080/09593985.2019.1686671

Published online: 31 Oct 2019.

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PHYSIOTHERAPY THEORY AND PRACTICE
https://doi.org/10.1080/09593985.2019.1686671

Manual therapy for work-related wrist pain in a manual physical therapist


Alexandra R. Anderson, PT, DPT, OCS, FAAOMPT, CMTPTa and Craig P. Hensley, PT, DPT, OCS, FAAOMPTb
a
Physical Therapy Department, University of Illinois Health, Chicago, IL, United States; bFeinberg School of Medicine, Department of Physical
Therapy and Human Movement Sciences, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, United States

ABSTRACT ARTICLE HISTORY


Introduction: The wrist is a common site for work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSD) Received 3 March 2019
among physical therapists (PTs), often due to manual therapy. There are limited data on manage- Revised 27 June 2019
ment of wrist injury in PTs. The purpose of this case is to describe the management of a PT with Accepted 24 September 2019
wrist pain. KEYWORDS
Case Description: The patient was a 28-year-old female with a 6-month history of right ulnar- Wrist; work-related
sided wrist pain, aggravated by performing thoracic/lumbar posterior to anterior (PA) glides. The musculoskeletal disorders;
patient reported 7/10 on the Numeric Pain Rating Scale and 6.5/10 on the Patient-Specific physical therapist
Functional Scale (PSFS). Symptoms were reproduced at the lunotriquetral joint.
Outcomes: The patient was seen for two visits. Following anterior to posterior non-thrust
mobilization at the triquetrum on lunate, the patient improved inability to perform thoracic/
lumbar PA glides. The patient was educated on manual therapy modifications, isometrics, and
self-mobilization. At 2-month follow-up, the patient reported 0/10 pain, scored 10/10 on the PSFS,
and +7 on the Global Rating of Change.
Discussion: This case demonstrates the successful use of education, manual therapy, and exercise
in the management of a PT with a wrist-related WMSD. Future research should focus on the
prevention/treatment of wrist-related WMSDs in PTs who perform manual therapy.

Introduction therapy. Most PTs report using different parts of their body
to administer manual therapy, and 50% warmed up and
Musculoskeletal conditions in health-care providers, parti-
stretched before performing manual therapy as a self-
cularly in the physical therapy profession, are frequently
treatment option (Rozenfeld et al., 2010).
attributed to occupational tasks (Truszczynska, Scherer,
WMSDs in physical therapy have many notable con-
and Drzal-Grabiec, 2016). Estimates suggest that the pre-
sequences, including modifying treatment techniques,
valence of work-related musculoskeletal disorders
taking time off work, decreasing work hours, and most
(WMSDs) in physical therapists (PTs) range from 53-91%
commonly changing practice setting (Vieira et al., 2016).
(Vieira et al., 2016). There are common occupational activ-
Although less common, some PTs actually leave the pro-
ities that put PTs at risk for WMSDs, including patient
fession due to WMSDs (Campo, Weiser, Koenig, and
handling and manual therapy (Campo, Weiser, Koenig,
Nordin, 2008). Occupational demands of PTs make the
and Nordin, 2008; Hignett, 2001). Injury to the wrist is
management of these injuries difficult (Baldwin, Johnson,
reported by 14% of PTs, particularly in those who perform
and Butler, 1996; Jette and Jette, 1996).
manual therapy (Darragh, Huddleston, and King, 2009).
The lunotriquetral (LT) joint sits along the proximal
Manual therapy is responsible for 69.1% of wrist/hand
ulnar side of the wrist. Joint kinematics are dependent on
injuries in all PTs and occupational therapists (Darragh,
joint surface geometry and ligaments given that there are no
Campo, and King, 2012). Repetitive manual therapy, being
dynamic constraints. Stability is provided by both intrinsic
female, and having less than 5 years of experience as a PT
and extrinsic ligaments. The intrinsic LT ligament is
are risk factors for developing wrist/hand pain (Vieira et al.,
C-shaped and composed of three regions; the dorsal and
2016). It has been hypothesized that the repetitive motion,
palmar true ligaments, of which the palmar is the strongest,
force, and/or sustained positions with soft tissue and joint
and a wedge-shaped proximal membrane (Ritt et al., 1998).
mobilization contribute to these WMSDs (Darragh,
Extrinsic ligaments connect the proximal carpus to the
Campo, and King, 2012). There are limited data on treat-
radius, ulna and mid-carpus, and prevent the proximal
ment options for PTs with wrist/hand pain due to manual
row from supinating/pronating beyond the normal range

CONTACT Alexandra R. Anderson aanders523@gmail.com Physical Therapy Department, University of Illinois Health, Chicago, IL, United States
Color versions of one or more of the figures in the article can be found online at www.tandfonline.com/iptp.
© 2019 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
2 A. R. ANDERSON AND C. P. HENSLEY

(van de Grift and Ritt, 2016). The LT joint articulation is


planar, with the medial surface of the lunate articulating
with the triquetrum through a small triangular surface
(Mastella and Zelouf, 2004).
Injury to the LT joint and its associated structures can
be related to acute trauma or degenerative processes with
or without acute trauma. The mechanism of injury is
thought generally to be multi-factorial, although isolated
LT trauma is often the result of a fall on an extended wrist.
Isolated injury to the LT joint is usually asymptomatic
initially (Ranzenberger and Carter, 2019). If the LT joint
continues to be stressed, symptoms may present on the
ulnar side of the wrist. Degeneration of the LT joint may
be the result of repetitive overuse, arthritis, ulnar impac-
tion syndrome, or inappropriately treated ligament
trauma (van de Grift and Ritt, 2016). Regardless of acuity,
a non-operative approach can initially be attempted
(Ranzenberger and Carter, 2019; van de Grift and Ritt,
2016). There is no evidence to our knowledge regarding
non-surgical intervention performed by a PT in those
with LT injury. In this report, the examination, evalua-
tion, and management of an orthopedic manual PT with
ulnar-sided wrist pain secondary to an increase in work-
load is described.

Case description
Patient history
A 28-year-old, right-hand dominant, orthopedic manual
PT presented to physical therapy with right ulnar-sided
wrist pain (Figure 1). The differential diagnosis for ulnar-
sided wrist pain, along with exam findings supporting/ Figure 1. Body chart. Checkmarks indicate symptom-free areas.
refuting each diagnosis, is outlined in Table 1. The patient Red marked area indicates the region of pain. The patient
described her pain as sharp, dull, and stiff.
had been practicing for 3 years. Her wrist pain began 6
months prior to the initial evaluation. She attributed her
pain to an increase in manual therapy usage. Using the current episode of pain was different than episodes
Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) (Ferraz et al., 1990), the in the past. She had attempted to manage her current
patient described pain ranging from 0-7/10. Her main problem with occasional use of NSAIDs and night
complaint was performing posterior to anterior (PA) glides splints without success. She denied previous trauma
on patients’ lumbar and thoracic spines (Figure 2) on more or current pain in the cervical spine, shoulder girdle,
than two patients per day. The pain typically resolved or elbow. No red flags, numbness or tingling, or weak-
immediately when moving the wrist out of the aggravating ness were reported. Patient-informed consent was
position but could linger into the evening if significantly provided. Regarding patient-reported outcomes, she
provoked. Other aggravating factors included falling asleep scored a 6.5/10 on the Patient-Specific Functional
with the wrist flexed, using a hammer, and pulling open Scale (PSFS) (6/10 with PA techniques, 7/10 opening
a heavy door. a door) (Stratford, 1995).
Pertinent past medical history included a right sca-
pholunate injury in high school and undiagnosed
Physical examination
wrist pain with tumbling and handstands in college
gymnastics. She received an occupational therapy The cervical spine, shoulder, elbow, and forearm were
intervention for her scapholunate injury in high screened and cleared. Observation of the wrist/hand was
school but did not seek treatment in college. Her unremarkable for edema, ecchymosis, ulnar prominence,
PHYSIOTHERAPY THEORY AND PRACTICE 3

Table 1. Differential diagnosis, with exam findings in this case, for ulnar-sided wrist pain.
Diagnosis Exam findings
Lunotriquetral pain Likely given pain was provoked with joint mobility testing along with passive range of motion into
flexion, extension, and ulnar deviation.
Osteoarthritis: distal radioulnar joint, intercarpal, Unknown without imaging
or ulnocarpal joints Unlikely given patient’s age and no signs of crepitus with physical examination
Triangular fibrocartilage complex injury Negative on all special tests
Extensor carpi ulnaris tendinopathy/tenosynovitis Unlikely given pain-free manual muscle testing and palpation to tendons
Flexor carpi ulnaris tendinopathy Unlikely given pain-free manual muscle testing and palpation to tendons
Ulnar impaction syndrome Unknown without imaging
Unlikely given no ulnar variance observed and negative ulnocarpal stress test (Nakamura et al., 1997)
Carpal instability (pisotriquetral and Passive accessory joint assessment did not reveal hypermobility
lunotriquetral)
Distal radioulnar joint (DRUJ) instability Negative on special tests and joint mobility testing
Keinbock’s disease Unknown without imaging
Unlikely given no severe range of motion limitations, tenderness directly over the lunate, and edema
Pisotriquetral pain Unlikely given negative joint mobility testing
Ulnolunate/ulnotriquetral pain Unlikely given negative joint mobility testing
Lunotriquetral coalition Mobility was noted between lunate and triquetrum
Stress fracture Unknown without imaging
Only known risk factor would be repetitive manual therapy
Ulnar neuritis Unlikely given no paresthesias and neurological findings
Hypothenar myalgia Unlikely given pain-free manual muscle testing and palpation to hypothenar muscles
C8 radiculopathy Unlikely given cervical spine range of motion was deemed normal with active range of motion and
overpressure
No paresthesias and neurological findings
Ulnar artery thrombosis Unlikely given no paresthesias, color/temperature changes

patient described as painful. A calibrated scale was used to


assess the amount of weight (in pounds) prior to the onset
of pain (Figure 3) and the weight was converted into
kilograms. The patient was instructed to setup as if she
was going to perform a PA non-thrust technique with her
involved extremity on the scale. Weight was applied
directly into the scale with the instructions to relay the
point at which she felt initial onset and maximum pain.
The first onset of pain was noted to be a 2/10 at 17.5 kg
and a maximum pain rating of 6/10 at 31.5 kg.
Wrist and forearm active range of motion (AROM)
were measured using a goniometer (Table 2) (Norkin
and White, 2009). All measurements were equal to the
left forearm/wrist except ulnar deviation (UD). The
patient’s symptoms were reproduced most significantly
with active and passive wrist flexion at the end range.
Wrist flexion was less painful with the addition of radial
deviation (RD) and more painful with adding UD pas-
sively. Familiar pain was also reported during end range
active and passive UD ROM. Wrist extension passive
ROM with overpressure also reproduced patient symp-
toms. Wrist and hand ROM were deemed normal other-
Figure 2. Non-thrust lumbar mobilization technique that the wise. Manual muscle testing of the forearm and wrist was
patient described to be painful and limiting. performed, according to Kendall, McCreary, and
Provance (1993), and was 5/5, pain-free.
The passive accessory motion was tested in a neutral
or other gross abnormalities. The patient was not found wrist position. Hypermobility and crepitus were found at
to be grossly hypermobile and was deemed negative on the radiocarpal joint in all directions on the involved side
the Beighton score (Remvig, Jensen, and Ward, 2007). without pain. Anterior to posterior mobility of the trique-
The symptom-provoking functional movement was trum on the lunate reproduced the patient’s pain and was
the performance of the PA non-thrust mobilization the hypomobile. Intercarpal mobility throughout the
4 A. R. ANDERSON AND C. P. HENSLEY

Special tests including: triangular fibrocartilage complex


(TFCC) grind test (Young, Papp, and Giachino, 2010);
press-up test (Lester, Halbrecht, Levy, and Gaudinez,
1995); lunotriquetral Ballottement test (Porretto-Loehrke,
Schuh, and Szekeres, 2016); fovea sign (Porretto-Loehrke,
Schuh, and Szekeres, 2016); and piano key sign (Rhee,
Sauvé, Lindau, and Shin, 2014) were negative.
Weightbearing through the radiocarpal joint was
noted to be painful in a pronated position when using
the treatment table to stand up (Figure 4). This movement
was pain-free when adjusting the force through the inter-
carpal joint by moving the hands forward on the table
with the table crease lining with the intercarpal joint.

Physical therapy diagnosis and prognosis


The patient presented with ulnar-sided wrist pain and
a history of wrist instability and pain. Current complaints
were postulated to be a result of repetitive non-thrust
techniques to patients’ lumbar and thoracic spine, which

Figure 3. Simulated non-thrust mobilization technique on


a weighted scale, used as the functional assessment/reassess-
ment sign.

Table 2. Range of motion.


Motion Right Left
Wrist flexion 85° p* (up to 5/10 with OP added) 85°
Wrist extension 80° p* with OP only, 3/10 80°
Wrist ulnar deviation 42° p* (up to 2/10 with OP added) 38°
Wrist radial deviation 20° 20°
Forearm supination 85° 85°
Forearm pronation 85° 85°
Abbreviations: p*, patient’s familiar pain; OP, overpressure

remainder of the involved wrist was hypomobile and


pain-free in both anterior to posterior and posterior to
anterior directions, except at the scapholunate joint where
hypermobility was found in both directions. Passive phy-
siological movement revealed hypermobility of the radio-
carpal joint into flexion and extension and hypomobility
of distal on proximal carpal row into flexion and exten-
sion. The patient denied joint line tenderness, ligamen-
tous tenderness, or muscular/tendon tenderness of the
wrist flexors and extensors. It should be recognized that
while reliability and validity of joint mobility testing at the Figure 4. Weightbearing through the radiocarpal joint was noted
to be painful in a pronated position when using the treatment table
wrist has not been tested, both reliability in the lower
to stand up. This movement was pain-free when adjusting the force
extremities (van Trijffel, van de Pol, Oostendorp, and through the intercarpal joint by moving the hands posteriorly on the
Lucas, 2010) and validity in the spine (Landel et al., table with the table crease lining with the intercarpal joint. This was
2008) have been questioned. Palpation was pain-free also used as a self-mobilization technique, mobilizing the distal on
throughout bilateral wrists. proximal carpal row.
PHYSIOTHERAPY THEORY AND PRACTICE 5

had become problematic 6 months prior to evaluation.


The clinical impression was LT joint pain secondary to
repetitive microtrauma from her gymnastics history and
current repetitive performance of manual therapy. Some
pathologies could not be ruled out completely after the
exam. For instance, Kienböck’s disease, or avascular
necrosis of the lunate, requires imaging to make
a diagnosis, but the patient had no systemic diseases that
would increase her risk (Porteous, Harish, and Parasu,
2012). If conservative management failed, radiographs
and/or further medical workup could be ordered to assist
in the diagnosis process. Mobility at other intercarpal
joints was deemed a contributing factor. The mechanism
of injury from performing manual therapy was described
in a position of repetitive wrist extension with compres- Figure 5. Non-thrust mobilization technique. An anterior to
sive forces through the ulnar-side of the wrist. posterior glide of the triquetrum on lunate was applied in
Positions involving approximation of the ulnar-sided wrist flexion and ulnar deviation. The physical therapist’s left
wrist joints (i.e. flexion, extension, and UD) were most hand was used to block the lunate while gliding the triquetrum
provocative. Many PTs elect to use the ulnar side of the posteriorly with the right hand.
wrist to mobilize spinal segments to eliminate stress
through the thumbs, as the use of mobilization is related patient was given the following instructions for self-
to increased prevalence of thumb pain (Vieira et al., 2016). management: 1) AP non-thrust oscillatory mobilizations
This patient’s work-related impairment involved specific (grade III+) to the triquetrum with the wrist in a flexed
mobilization techniques through the ulnar side of the and ulnar deviated position (Figure 6), 1-3x/day for 2
wrist, which likely caused further stress on the hypomobile min; 2) Isometrics into wrist UD and flexion starting in
LT joint. a neutral wrist position (5x45 second holds with 2 min
Given the findings, it seemed that mobilizing the LT rests, 3x/day) (Rio et al., 2015); and 3) Oscillatory self-
joint would be a suitable first-line intervention. Prognosis mobilization (grade III+) of distal carpal row on proximal
was excellent considering the patient’s knowledge regard- carpal row x 1 min, 1-3x/day as needed (Figure 4).
ing her injury and awareness of body mechanics contri- We discussed the use of mobilization wedges as an
buting to further LT pain and dysfunction. alternative means to administer manual therapy through-
out the day. Further, we discussed the use of administering
PA non-thrust mobilizations to the spine with the left wrist
Intervention
in contact with the spinous processes. The patient verba-
Treatment was aimed at improving LT joint mobility and lized understanding and acknowledged that she would add
pain utilizing an anterior to posterior (AP) non-thrust these techniques in the future. She was completely adherent
mobilization of the triquetrum on lunate. This was per- with her home program throughout the plan of care.
formed by blocking the lunate with one hand and provid-
ing pressure in a posterior direction on the triquetrum.
Large amplitude oscillations into 75% of resistance (grade
Outcomes
III+) (Hengeveld, Banks, and Maitland, 2005) were per-
formed in a position of wrist flexion and UD because this Outcomes are reported in Table 3. The patient returned
combination was most provocative during the physical for her follow-up visit 1 month following her initial
exam (Figure 5). Mobilization into 75% of resistance was evaluation. Her pain at worst was 3/10 in the past week,
utilized as resistance was felt before the first onset of pain. reporting only one occurrence during lumbar non-
Further, it has been demonstrated that higher forces thrust mobilizations at the end of a long work shift.
applied to painful segments have an enhanced effect on She reported that she used the mobilization wedge and
symptoms between sessions (Snodgrass, Rivett, Sterling, left hand to mobilize the spine as needed.
and Vicenzino, 2014). Following 2 min of oscillatory The PSFS improved to a 10/10. The Global Rating of
mobilization, the patient was re-tested on the scale. Her Change (GROC), scaled from −7 (a very great deal worse)
first onset of pain was 1-2/10 measured at 29.8 kg and her to a + 7 (a very great deal better) (Kamper, Maher, and
maximum pain was 6/10 measured at 35.4 kg, improving Mackay, 2009) was used to measure the patient’s percep-
12.2 and 3.6 kg, respectively. Following re-assessment, the tion on the efficacy of intervention, as this has been shown
6 A. R. ANDERSON AND C. P. HENSLEY

patient was also able to place 39.5 kg through the wrist


on the scale with 0/10 pain.
One month after visit 2, a phone call follow-up was
made. The patient reported 0/10 pain at worst, 10/10
on the PSFS, and she reported to be a very great deal
better (+7) on the GROC. It was recommended to
continue with strategies to reduce overloading the
involved wrist secondary to her history and repetitive
nature of manual therapy required for her job. It should
also be noted that the patient’s pain and function
improved despite her workload remaining unchanged
after her initial physical therapy evaluation.

Discussion
Physical therapy is a profession requiring increased
demands on the musculoskeletal system in the amount
of force, movement, and/or postures required for effective
examination and treatment. These requirements can lead
to WMSDs. It is likely that the repetitive stress with
increasing patient loads played a significant role in this
patient’s development of wrist pain (Vieira et al., 2016).
Campo, Weiser, Koenig, and Nordin (2008) found that
Figure 6. Self-mobilization in wrist flexion and ulnar deviation. those PTs who performed joint mobilization on more
The patient performed an anterior to posterior glide of the than 10 patients per day had a 7.95 times higher risk of
triquetrum in wrist flexion and ulnar deviation as a part of developing wrist and/or hand pain compared to those
her home exercise program. who did not perform joint mobilization. As mentioned
earlier, PTs who are of female gender and younger age are
at a higher risk for developing wrist/hand pain.
Interestingly, the average age of PTs who experience
Table 3. Outcome measures. their first major WMSD is 28 years old (West and
1 month follow
up after visit 2
Gardner, 2001), the age of the patient in this case. The
Assessment Evaluation Visit 2 (phone call) patient’s former sport, gymnastics, has been shown to
PSFS (performing non-thrust 6/10 10/10 10/10 increase the prevalence and incidence of wrist pain (Kox
spinal mobilization)
PSFS (pushing heavy door) 7/10 10/10 10/10
et al., 2015). It is likely that the patient’s history of sca-
NPRS 7/10 3/10 0/10 maximum pholunate injury may have increased susceptibility to
maximum maximum
GROC +6 +7
injury at the adjacent LT joint due to changes in joint
Simulated non-thrust 17.5 kg 39.5 kg and ligamentous stability and/or compensatory patterns
mobilization (weight on (2/10 (0/10
scale converted to kgs) pain); pain)
to decrease the load on the scapholunate joint.
Initial pain onset; 31.5 kg Ulnar-sided wrist pain is a common reason for medical
maximum tolerable (6/10 visits. It is often referred to as the low back pain of the
pain)
Abbreviations: PSFS, Patient-Specific Functional Scale; NPRS, Numeric Pain
wrist due to difficulty in identifying the nociceptive driver
Rating Scale; GROC, Global Rating of Change. of pain (Porretto-Loehrke, Schuh, and Szekeres, 2016). In
this case, the LT joint was seemingly the nociceptive
source, as joint mobility testing here provoked the
to have high face validity. The patient scored a + 6 (a great patient’s symptoms. Non-thrust joint mobilizations were
deal better), indicating significant change (Jaeschke, chosen to improve mobility at hypomobile segments,
Singer, and Guyatt, 1989). including the LT joint. Following non-thrust joint mobi-
AP mobility was pain-free at the triquetrum on lizations at the LT joint, the patient was able to tolerate
lunate. Wrist AROM with overpressure was pain-free a considerable increase in weight through the wrist with
in all directions except flexion at a 1/10 pain. No pain her manual therapy techniques. Immediate response to
was present during combined wrist flexion and UD. All manual treatment may be explained by the application of
goniometric measures of AROM were unchanged. The mechanical input to the central nervous system, enabling
PHYSIOTHERAPY THEORY AND PRACTICE 7

augmented analgesic effects or heightening conditioned particularly at the hand/wrist, there is little evidence on
pain modulation, confirmed by reduced deep tissue sen- prevention and treatment allowing for the maintenance of
sitivity to pressure (Courtney et al., 2016). The home job performance and long-term participation. Future
exercise program included self-mobilizing techniques to research should focus on the incidence/prevalence of
normalize joint mobility at the LT and intercarpal joints, ulnar-sided wrist and/or LT pain in those with previous
as well as isometric exercise to induce hypoalgesia. scapholunate injury and in PTs who perform manual
Isometric exercise has been shown to produce significant therapy. Finally, research should look to improve ways
analgesic effects across varying pathologies and treatment to both prevent and treat WMSDs amongst PTs.
protocols (Naugle, Fillingim, and Riley, 2012; Rio et al.,
2015, 2017). Modifications to the patient’s use of manual
therapy likely assisted in maintaining improvement in Declaration of Interest
pain and function. The use of consistent assessment/reas-
sessment during examination/intervention was critical in We have no financial conflicts of interest.
determining the appropriate intervention. In this case, the
use of a scale for objective measurement was used before
and after non-thrust joint mobilizations. References
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