Clinical Observations on Acupoint Pressing plus Gentle Moxibustion for Intervention in Lower Limb Swelling after Total Knee Arthroplasty / 上海针灸杂志

ABSTRACT

ObjectiveTo investigate the therapeutic effect of acupoint pressing plus gentle moxibustion on lower limb swelling after total knee arthroplasty.MethodOne hundred and twenty patients diagnosed with knee osteoarthritis who required unilateral total knee arthroplasty were allocated, in order of operations, to observation and control groups, 60 cases each. After the operation, all the patients received routine nursing care including elastic bandage pressure dressing, operated-on limb elevation, early knee immobilization, local ice compress, intermittent pneumatic compression, active ankle pump and quadriceps contracting-relaxing exercise, CPM mechanical exercise, use of elastic stockings and oral administration of rivaroxaban. The observation group received postoperative acupoint pressing plus gentle moxibustion additionally. Limb circumferences 10 cm superior and inferior to thepatella were measured and operated-on limb pains were scored (using the VAS) in the two groups of patients before, on the day of and at one, three, five, seven and fourteen days after the operation. Knee joint range of motion (ROM) was measured before and at three,seven and fourteen days after the operation.ResultThe incidence of swelling was 47.46% in the observation group and 67.24% in the control group. The duration of swelling was (7.31±3.19) days in the observation group and (10.92±3.12)days in the control group. There were statistically significant differences in the VAS score and operated-on knee joint range of motion between the two groups of patients at the same time points after the operation (P<0.05).ConclusionAcupoint pressing plus gentle moxibustion can effectively intervene in lower limb swelling and promote the recovery of knee joint function after total knee arthroplasty.