Treatment of Ankle Sprain with Acupuncture
Dr Raman Kapur
New Delhi
Ankle sprain is a common condition
of the motor system. It occurs when the balance of the body is broken, causing
a sudden change in the center of gravity of the ankle joint. When the ankle
joint is at the state of planter flexion, a slight movement of both sides of
the tarsomegaly causes the ankle joint to become unsteady.
As a result, a sprain occurs. We
used acupuncture to treat ankle sprain and obtained excellent results.
1. CLINICAL DATA
1.1. General Data
Out of the 126 cases, 70 were males
and 56 were females; the oldest was 56 years old and the youngest 15 years old;
the shortest course was 3 hours and the longest course was I year. Most
patients were treated within two days of a sprain.
1.2. Diagnostic Criteria
1.2. Diagnostic Criteria
The diagnosis revealed external
injury, accompanied by tumefaction and pain in the ankle, and difficulty in
walking. When entropion and sprain appeared, the upper lower part of the
lateral malleolus was distended and tender; the foot was performing various
actions; blocking ache occured in the upper lower part of the lateral
malleolus. X-ray revealed no fractures, no rupture of ligaments, nor trusion of
the ankle joint.
2. METHOD OF TREATMENT
The main point was Qiuxu(GB40) in
the non-affected leg. Filiform needles (diameter: 0.38 mm, length: 40 mm) were
used. After routine sterilization, we fixed the point with the left hand and
inserted the needle quickly with the right hand into the subcutaneous part to a
depth of about 25 mm. We usedthe reducing method as the main method, with the
affected foot moving and the ankle joint doing plantar flexion, entropion, and
eversion, we applied sufficient lifting and thrusting to induce a feeling of
soreness, numbness, distention, and pain in the local area.
The needle was manipulated at 5
minutes intervals, and retained for 20 or 30 minutes. For certain patients with
minimal sprain, and whose symptoms had disappeared, we did not retain the
needle. For patients with serious sprain, we combined cold therapy, massage,
and TDP, and obtained excellent results. Treatment was given once a day; one
course consisted of 7 days of treatment.
3. OBSERVATION OF CURATIVE EFFECT
3.1. Standard of Curative Effect
Cured: The ankle joint recovered its
normal functions, pain disappeared, the patient could walk as before. Marked
effect: The clinical symptoms almost disappeared, pain was relieved
significantly, there was minimal pain when walking. Moderate effect: The
clinical symptoms were improved, pain was relieved, ankle joint function
improved after treatment. No effect: Symptoms and physical signs showed no
improvement.
3.2. Results
Of the 126 cases, 98 cases (77.78%)
were completely cured, 17cases (13.49%) showed a marked effect, 8cases ( 6.35%)
showed a moderate effect, and there was no effect in 3cases 2.38%. The total
effective rate was 97.62%. Of the 98 cases that recovered completely, the least
number of treatments is 1 and the most is 7, the average is 4 treatments.
4. TYPICAL CASE
A 21-year-old male student, was
first seen on December 10, 1993. He had sprained ankle joint going down the
stairs. Examination showed red swelling and tenderness in the lateral
malleolus; he could not walk without aid.
He was referred to the Department of
Acupuncture and was treated with the above method. Pain was relieved
significantly after 10 minutes. The needles were retained for 30 minutes, and
the treatment was given once a day. After 4 treatments, the red swelling and
tenderness disappeared, and he was cured.
5. DISCUSSION
Qiuxiu(GB40), which has a powerful
analgesic effect, is located at the starting point of the extensor
digitonimbrevis where the lateral anterior malleolar artery and vein are
distributed; the branches of later dorsal cutaneous nerve of the foot and the
superficial peroneal nerve are also located there.
Puncturing this point diverts the
focus of excitation of pain in the cerebral cortex, or directly stimulates the
afferent nerves and blocks afferent pain fibers. The opposite needling method,
which involves the selection of points contralateral to the affected side, is
often used to treat patients with pain and dysfunction.
This study has been done by
acupuncture department, Henan College of Traditional Chinese Medicine,
Zhongzhou, China.
The author is the head of the
department of Acupuncture at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital. You can write your queries
to Dr. Raman Kapur at kapuracu@kapuracu.com
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