The role of acupuncture in pain and swelling control for postoperative tibial fracture treatment

BACKGROUND: Currently, intramedullary nailing for tibial fractures has very good postoperative treatment results. Combining the advantages of traditional medicine and modern medicine is a comprehensive treatment method that brings the best benefits to the patient. METHODS: The study method was a controlled clinical trial. The study included 60 patients with a definitive diagnosis of tibial fracture who underwent intramedullary nailing surgery. These patients were divided into 2 groups: with and without electroacupuncture treatment. RESULTS: Electro-acupuncture had a significant analgesic effect in 24–48 h after surgery: After 24 h or electro-acupuncture, the pain difference in the study group and the control groups was 3.03 ± 1.25 and 2.46 ± 1.33, respectively (p < 0.05). The VAS score difference between day 1 and day 2 in the study group and the control group was 0.61 ± 0.71 and 0.59 ± 0.67, respectively (p < 0.05). At 48 h postoperatively, the circumference of the calf on the fractured side in the study group and the control group was 36.1 ± 2.1 and 37.3 ± 2.2 cm, respectively (p < 0.05). At 72 h postoperatively, the circumference of the calf in the study group and the control group was 35.9 ± 2.6 and 37.6 ± 2.8 cm, respectively (p < 0.05). The effect of electro-acupuncture on bone healing did not differ between the study group and the control group (p > 0.05). During 7 days of using the treatment regimen, there were 3.3 % of patients with dizziness, 3.3 % of patients with vomiting/nausea, 3.3 % of patients with bleeding at the injection site. There was no difference in blood pressure, pulse rate, hematological indexes and biochemical indexes of patients before and after using the treatment regimen. CONCLUSION: Electro-acupuncture has a significant analgesic effect 24 h–48 h after surgery. The effect of electroacupuncture on bone healing was not different between the two groups. Electroacupuncture is a safe, effective method with few side effects.