ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore a safe and effective method for the treatment of low back pain in the cutaneous nerve, and to clarify the indication of Pi needle to treat it.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>From January 2003 to December 2004, 278 patients with cutaneous nerve entrapment low back pain were divided into two groups: Pi needle group and electrical stimulation group. In the Pi needle group, there were 68 males and 70 females, ranging in age from 20 to 60 years old, with an average of(41.92±10.88)years old. In the electrical stimulation group, there were 68 males and 72 females, ranging in age from 18 to 60 years old, with an average of(41.44±10.47) years old. The pain, tenderness and soft tissue tension of the two groups were measured and compared before and after treatment.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>All of the selected cases were qualified. No suspension, culling and shedding cases occurred in either group. In Pi needle group, visual analog scale(VAS) of pain decreased from 8.78±1.52 before treatment to 1.33±1.33 after treatment;and in electrical stimulation group, VASof pain decreased from 8.59±1.76 before treatment to 5.20±2.64 after treatment;and the VAS of pain of the Pi needle group was lower than that of the electrical stimulation group. In Pi needle group, VAS of tenderness decreased from 9.12±1.24 before treatment to 1.60±1.36 after treatment;and in electrical stimulation group, VAS of pain decreased from 8.79±1.60 before treatment to 5.34±2.60 after treatment;and the VAS of pain of the Pi needle group was lower than that of the electrical stimulation group.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Once tissue texture changes to pain point, cord, nodules, Pi needle is the first line treatment for the cutaneous nerve entrapment low back pain.</p>
ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the clinical efficacy of Pi needle percutaneous multi-segmental fasciotomy as a minimally invasive treatment for Dupuytren's contracture.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Sixteen patients(25 fingers: 4 middle fingers, 12 ring fingers, 9 little fingers) were involved in the study, including 11 males and 5 females. There were 2 cases on both hands and 14 cases of single hand disease, including 8 cases of left hand and 6 cases of right hand. The age ranged from 48 to 79 years old, with a mean age of 58.5 years old. The duration of the disease ranged from 1 to 15 years, with a mean time of 5.5 years. There were 12 cases of physical labor, 4 cases of non physical labor, with no family history of palmar fascial contracture. There were 9 cases of tobacco and alcohol addicts, 6 cases with hypertension history, and 3 cases of diabetes mellitus. According to Meyerding classification, 1 case was stage 0, 1 case was stage I, 10 cases were stage II, 4 cases were stage III and 0 case was stage IV. The postoperative function of Dupuytren's contracture patients was evaluated according to Adam efficacy evaluation criteria.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The time of incision healing time ranged from 7 to 14 days, 10 days on average. The 3 fingers incision skin cracked 3 to 4 mm during the loosening process, and 14 days after dressing changed, no skin necrosis and wound infection complication occurred. After treatment, fascia contracture of 24 fingers completely or almost disappeared. Limited extension of metacarpophalangeal joint and interphalangeal joint ranged from 0 to 10 degrees, 22 fingers showed normal function of finger extension, 2 fingers had more than 75% elongation function, and 1 finger recurred. According to the evaluation of Adam evaluable standard of curative effect on the postoperative function of Dupuytrens's contracture: 22 fingers got an excellent result, 2 fingers good and 1 finger recurred. The patients were satisfied with the results of the treatment.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Pi needle percutaneous multi-segmental fasciotomy for the treatment of Dupuytren's contracture is a simple, minimally invasive and effective method.</p>
ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the clinical effects of manipulative reduction of cervical vertebrae combined with Pi needle release for the treatment of temporomandibular joint dysfunction.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>From March 2012 to May 2017, 60 patients with temporomandibular joint dysfunction were treated by manipulative reduction of cervical vertebrae with Pi needle release, including 26 males and 34 females, ranging in age from 18 to 60 years old, with an average of 32.5 years old. The courses of the disease ranged from 1 week to 5 years, with a mean duration of 3 months. The patients were followed up before and after treatment by maximum active opening of temporomandibular joint, joint clicking and comparison of visual analogue scale (VAS) pain scores.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>All 60 patients were followed up, and the duration ranged from 6 to 24 months, with an average of 12 months. The maximum active opening of temporomandibular joint increased from(1.99±0.47) cm before treatment to(3.17±0.19) cm. The joint clicking decreased from 100% before treatment to(27.33±13.51)% after treatment. The VAS score decreased from 4.73±0.67 before treatment to 1.80±0.53 after treatment.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Treatment of temporomandibular joint dysfunction by manipulative reduction of cervical vertebrae combined with Pi needle release has such advantages as easy operation, obvious curative effect, short course of treatment, which is an effective method for the treatment of temporomandibular joint dysfunction.</p>