EXPLORING THE EFFICIENCY OF OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY IN THE TREATMENT OF HAND INJURIES: CASE ABOUT STENOSING TENOSYNOVITIS (TRIGGER FINGER) IN SAUDIA ARABIA

Abstract

Background Despite its prevalence, the treatment of Stenosing Tenosynovitis (Trigger Finger) in Saudi Arabia through Occupational Therapy (OT) remains relatively underexplored. The effectiveness of OT and the challenges occupational therapists face in the context of local healthcare systems and cultural factors are not thoroughly examined. This study aims to address this knowledge gap, fostering a deeper understanding of the interventions, opportunities, and challenges in providing OT for Trigger Finger patients in Saudi Arabia.

Objectives This study aimed to explore the role of occupational therapists in rehabilitating patients who are diagnosed with trigger finger in Saudi Arabia. Accordingly, this study determined the possible challenges faced by occupational therapists during the provision of treatments and rehabilitation of patients diagnosed with trigger finger. It also identified the types of interventions for trigger finger used by occupational therapists working in care centres in Saudi Arabia. Furthermore, whether there are any areas requiring development in the field of occupational therapy so that improved treatments can be offered to patients with trigger finger across Saudi Arabia was determined.

Methodology This study used a qualitative methodology in which textual data were collected through face-to-face semi-structured interviews among eight occupational therapists working in Saudi Arabian healthcare centres. The data were evaluated through a thematic analysis.

Findings Four themes were identified: 1) the role of occupational therapists in the treatment and rehabilitation of patients with trigger finger, 2) challenges faced by occupational therapists while undertaking the treatment and rehabilitation of patients with trigger finger, 3) types of interventions adopted by occupational therapists in care centres in Saudi Arabia to manage trigger finger cases, and 4) areas of improvement or development in occupational therapy to improve the nature of treatments offered to patients with trigger finger in Saudi Arabia. However, the main limitations of this study was the time and resources.

Conclusions This study suggests occupational therapy as a successful strategy for facilitating rapid recovery of patients with trigger finger in terms of pain relief and finger range of motion restoration. The author and participants suggest some recommendations, including raising the awareness of the role of occupational therapists in treating patients with trigger finger in Saudi Arabia.