Assessment of damage to the physiotherapist’s thumb when working on trigger points: an analysis of its performance and comparison to tool therapy

Abstract

Aim: This study aims to assess the behaviour of the thumb when subjected to axial pressures, to estimate the risk of potential damage in the long term and to quantify the information obtained from clinical analyses. Materials and Methods: The study evaluated the effect of axial loading on the thumb based on an objective assessment during measurements on a strain gauge bench and compared it to hand loading during use of a fascial therapy tool. The study was supplemented by biomechanical analysis on an X-ray of a randomly selected physiotherapist. Results: The study highlighted a decrease in thumb performance during the course of successive soft tissue therapy techniques, despite guidelines stating the need for uniform action on the tissues, and confirmed that prolonged axial pressure/loading can lead to a range of functional impairments carrying the risk of permanent damage in the long term. Compared to thumb work, tool therapy scored slightly better, although also with a downward trend indicative of inadequate ergonomics resulting from the tool’s design. Conclusions: The thumb, as the most sensitive structure of the therapist’s hand, despite anatomical conditions providing it with high stability during use, can gradually acquire dysfunctions that limit its performance. Consequently, there is a need to search for substitutes that are as equally effective.