Efficacy of acupotomy combined with intra-articular injection of sodium hyaluronate in the treatment of patients with traumatic ankle arthritis

Abstract

Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of acupotomy combined with intra-articular injection of sodium hyaluronate guided by ultrasound in patients of traumatic ankle arthritis. Methods Sixty patients with traumatic ankle arthritis were randomly divided into 2 groups (n=30) : sodium hyaluronate group and combined acupotomy group. Patients in sodium hyaluronate group received intra-articular injection of sodium hyaluronate in ankle joint cavity; patients in combined acupotomy group were given the same drugs and acupotomy after injection at the first time of every course. All patients received two courses of treatment, once a week, 4 weeks for one course. Visual analogue scale (VAS) , American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) Ankle Hindfoot Scale were recorded at T1 (before the treatment) and T2 (one week after the end of two treating courses) . Results Compared with sodium hyaluronate group, VAS was significantly decreased[ (3.5±1.1) vs (2.40±1.0) ], AOFAS was significantly increased[ (70.1±21.4) vs (82.8±17.7) ]in combined acupotomy group. No difference was found in complications between the two groups (P>0.05) . Conclusion Acupotomy combined with intra-articular injection of sodium hyaluronate is safe and effective in the treatment of patients with traumatic ankle arthritis. Key words: Small knife needle; Hyaluronic acid; Ankle arthritis, traumatic