Knee Injury Case Series Comparison
In this past year, I came across two different patients with similar knee injuries. I gave them similar treatments and I considered both cases to have successful results but I also would like to use them as examples of how frequency of treatment can play a role to the time it takes to recover.
The knee injury in both cases presented on one knee only. Pain at the inner knee, and felt under the knee cap or inside the joint. Pain when the knee was bent with pressure. Mild, dull ache when going up or down stairs. Pain prevented both patients to bend the knee all the way and avoid going into a squatting position. Before the injury going into a squatting position was easy and normal. Both patients felt this injury occur overtime after fairly normal activities. There was no known event, fall or trauma that occurred to cause the injury.
Case #1, 52 year old woman. Lives an active lifestyle of pilates, walking, jogging and weight lifting. Left knee pain on and off for 8 months. Began as a mild ache that came and went. In the last 2 months the pain is more prominent, constant and very painful when the knee is bent too far or if the leg is too straight. Left knee was visibly swollen during first visit of acupuncture. Pain is 8/10. History of high blood pressure, managed by medication. Possible menopause, no period for 5 months. No other known medical conditions.
Case #2, 48 year old woman. Exercises regularly: yoga, running, spinning and weight lifting. Mild right knee pain on and off for 2 months. Dull ache when the knee is bent more than 90 degrees with weight. Sometimes pain is felt when going up and down stairs. Pain is more consistent in the last 2 weeks. 5/10 pain. No pain at rest or when leg is straight. History of pre-diabetes, hypothyroidism. Taking synthroid. No other known medical conditions.
Case #1 received acupuncture every other week for on month and then every week for 6 weeks for a total of 12 visits until she was fully recovered.
Case #2 received acupuncture every 2-3 days for a total of 6 acupuncture visits until she was fully recovered.
Both patients received almost identical acupuncture treatments in terms of point locations. Each treated on the knee that presented with pain. Both treatments included electroacupuncture (EA), topical herbal liniments, light tui na (massage) and infrared heat lamp. Both knees were treated with local acupuncture points. Both patients were directed to take it easy after acupuncture visits and use a heating pad in between sessions. Case #2 did not use a heating pad between visits but used herbal plasters every 2-3 days. This case series is an example of why seeking acupuncture soon after an injury occurs and having treatments more frequently can not only quicken your recovery but also potentially reduce the total amount of visits you might need. Each person, their lifestyle and day-to-day activities as well as their injury is going to have variation, and that is also important to keep in mind. Severity of pain and a longer history of injury can also play a role in the time it takes to recover with acupuncture to some extent.
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You might also be interested in reading: Acupuncture and Runner’s Knee, Acupuncture and Frozen Shoulder, Chinese Medicine for Plantar Fasciitis
Written by Dr. Emily Siy, DACM on 9/30/24
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