OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine whether acupuncture is effective in reducing pain and swelling around the knee and improving range of motion (ROM) during the post-acute phase of rehabilitation after total knee arthroplasty (TKA). METHODS: Following TKA, 80 knees in 80 patients were randomly assigned to either an acupuncture treatment group (Group A) or a control group (Group C). In Group A, the complementary treatment of acupuncture was performed three times/week from postoperative day 7 until postoperative day 21. Outcome measures were: i) pain as assessed by a visual analog scale; ii) reduction of swelling around the knee as indicated by its circumference at the center of the patella; and iii) ROM of the affected knee. RESULTS: Group A patients had significantly reduced pain and swelling around the knees and earlier recovery of ROM than did those in Group C. CONCLUSION:Acupuncture provides effective treatment during the post-acute phase of rehabilitation after TKA with respect to pain relief, reduction of swelling around the knee, and early recovery of ROM.
RCT Entities:
OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine whether acupuncture is effective in reducing pain and swelling around the knee and improving range of motion (ROM) during the post-acute phase of rehabilitation after total knee arthroplasty (TKA). METHODS: Following TKA, 80 knees in 80 patients were randomly assigned to either an acupuncture treatment group (Group A) or a control group (Group C). In Group A, the complementary treatment of acupuncture was performed three times/week from postoperative day 7 until postoperative day 21. Outcome measures were: i) pain as assessed by a visual analog scale; ii) reduction of swelling around the knee as indicated by its circumference at the center of the patella; and iii) ROM of the affected knee. RESULTS: Group A patients had significantly reduced pain and swelling around the knees and earlier recovery of ROM than did those in Group C. CONCLUSION: Acupuncture provides effective treatment during the post-acute phase of rehabilitation after TKA with respect to pain relief, reduction of swelling around the knee, and early recovery of ROM.
Authors: Dario Tedesco; Davide Gori; Karishma R Desai; Steven Asch; Ian R Carroll; Catherine Curtin; Kathryn M McDonald; Maria P Fantini; Tina Hernandez-Boussard Journal: JAMA Surg Date: 2017-10-18 Impact factor: 14.766
Authors: Dirk Zajonz; Johannes K M Fakler; Anna-Judith Dahse; Fujiaoshou Junping Zhao; Melanie Edel; Christoph Josten; Andreas Roth Journal: Patient Saf Surg Date: 2017-08-30