Modern technologies for the treatment of osteoarthritis of the joints are numerous and varied, not always from the hip area; they meet the patient’s expectations, but always require significant treatment costs. The search and study of methods existing in the world for the treatment of joint pathologies that have an evidence-based clinical basis can expand the capabilities of arthrology specialists and significantly reduce treatment costs. The paper presents information on the method of treating patients with joint diseases with a needle knife and the first results of using the method by the author
Shigaev Evgeniy Stanislavovich
Candidate of Medical Sciences, Head of the Department of Traumatology and Orthopedics of the State Institution of Healthcare of the Russian Clinical Hospital named after N. A. Semashko, Senior Lecturer of the Department of Hospital Surgery of the Medical Institute of the Federal State Budgetary Educational Institution of Higher Education BSU named after Dorzhi Banzarov, Ulan-Ude
I first heard about the needle knife about 10 years ago from friends who had joint treatment on Hainan Island in China with very good and long-lasting (more than 2 years) results. A search on the Internet brought up nothing but advertisements for Chinese clinics inviting Russian tourists for treatment using the acupuncture method. But in 2016, I was lucky to take part in the congress “Traumatology, Orthopedics and Rehabilitation Medicine of the Third Millennium”, held in Manchuria, where I first heard from Professor Lai Jigang a report on the results of treating aseptic necrosis of the femoral head using the needle knife method. Seeing my interest, the professor held a master class specifically for Russian colleagues and in one session cured two men from the hotel staff with different pathologies. At the same time, we were given the opportunity to examine and interview patients with an interpreter before treatment began. Since the results of the treatment were undeniable and impressive, I asked for a training cycle at Lai Jigan’s clinic. I was able to undergo training twice (in 2021 and 2017) at the AOSIDI clinic in Chengdu, where my understanding of the treatment of many diseases that I encounter in daily practice has undergone significant changes. It should be noted that Professor Lai Jigang has the official title of the PRC “Hero of Orthopedics” and is the first deputy chairman of the World Needle Knife Association, which today includes 33 countries; Russia has not yet joined this association.
So what is a needle knife? In fact, this is a special needle, at the end of which there is a cutting flat edge - a point
Needles for the “needle knife”
According to Chinese authors, with the use of a needle knife, significant results have been achieved in the treatment of the following diseases: lumbar pain, all types of intervertebral hernias, spondylolisthesis, chondrosis, osteochondrosis of all parts of the spine; joint pathology - arthritis, arthrosis, osteoporosis, rheumatic disease, coxarthrosis; sprains of the ligamentous apparatus, pathological conditions of the menisci; diabetes, bronchial asthma, heart disease, allergic diseases, kidney pathologies, prostatitis; intractable heel spurs; rehabilitation after bone fractures of varying severity. According to Chinese medical literature, in 96% of cases there is complete relief from existing diseases. Absolute contraindications for treatment with a needle knife are oncological processes and severe infectious conditions.
Arthrosis
- Treatment of arthrosis at the TAO clinic
- Causes of the disease
- Symptoms of the disease
- Types of arthrosis
- Osteoarthritis of the knee joint
- Arthrosis of the foot
- Osteoarthritis of the hip joint
- Arthrosis of the shoulder joint
- Arthrosis of the ankle joint
- Deforming arthrosis
- Arthrosis of the cervical spine
- Rheumatoid arthrosis
- Post-traumatic arthrosis
- Stages of arthrosis
- What is the difference between arthritis and arthrosis?
Treatment of arthrosis at the TAO clinic
Chinese (Oriental) medicine has long been famous for its serious approach to the treatment of many diseases.
Still would! Knowledge and skills here have been accumulated over centuries and multiplied almost every decade. The “program” for the treatment of arthrosis in our clinic is quite extensive. First, we carry out a comprehensive diagnosis. Based on the work of your pulse, we determine how damaged or “worn out” the joints are, the exact location, and the degree of pain. Control diagnostics are carried out at all stages of treatment.
The peculiarities of the treatment of arthrosis at the TAO clinic are that at any time we can change the treatment tactics: this is the main difference between Eastern medicine and Western medicine.
An excellent treatment for arthrosis is acupuncture. This ancient method allows you to quickly significantly reduce or completely eliminate pain, improve joint mobility, and “force” the body to produce more and more chondrocytes in large quantities.
The second no less important method of combating arthrosis is phytocompresses. The latter are a mixture of medicinal herbs heated to a certain temperature; a piece of fabric is dipped in them, which is then applied to biologically active points.
It is also possible to warm up with wormwood cigars.
Massage is mandatory for arthrosis; it allows you to restore joint mobility, relieve pain, in a word, it well and quickly “brings back to life” joints damaged by arthrosis.
In addition to the fact that by following all the recommendations of specialists, you get rid of an illness that has been tormenting you for a long time, the procedures described above increase immunity, stimulate metabolism, improve blood supply processes, nutrition of muscle fibers, and relieve fatigue. After treatment in our clinic, a person begins to feel renewed, rejuvenated, and begins to notice many previously unnoticed positive aspects of life. It’s as if previously invisible “chakras” are opening up.
Materials and methods
In the period from 01/01/2017 to 04/01/2018, I observed 36 patients with gonarthrosis of II–III degree and 29 patients with coxarthrosis of II–III degree (including 12 patients with aseptic necrosis of the femoral head) aged from 26 to 74 years, of these, 39 were women, 26 were men. The degree of osteoarthritis was confirmed by the results of MRI and radiography of the joints. The treatment was outpatient.
Assessment of functional disorders and pain syndrome before and after the treatment process was carried out for hip joints using the Harris scale, for knee joints using a visual analogue scale (VAS).
Treatment of osteoarthritis of the hip joint was carried out according to the scheme recommended by the specialists of the AOSIDI clinic: under aseptic conditions under local anesthesia (lidocaine 2% - 120 mg + vitamin B12 - 2 ml + saline - 12 ml), a pinpoint dissection of the fascia, muscles and joint capsule was made from 5 standard points in the supratrochanteric and trochanteric region of the thigh (Fig. 2, 3); The treatment phase consisted of 4 weekly sessions and 5 subsequent monthly sessions with a Harris Scale assessment at the end of the treatment phase.
Treatment of grade II-III gonarthrosis was also carried out according to the regimen recommended by the specialists of the AOSIDI clinic: under aseptic conditions under local anesthesia (lidocaine 2% - 120 mg + vitamin B12 - 2 ml + saline - 12 ml), a pinpoint dissection of the fascia, quadriceps tendon, of the patellar ligament and joint capsule from 5 standard points (Fig. 4) once or, if pain persists, repeat procedures weekly for no more than 3 weeks, assessing the results of treatment using VAS.
During the first 2 days, patients were not recommended to engage in physical activity in order to prevent inflammatory complications; in case of severe pain, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs were prescribed.
Due to the emerging subjective feeling of “instability” in the joint, in some cases walking with the help of a cane or crutches was prescribed until the condition returned to normal. In 24 (66.6%) patients with gonarthrosis, as well as patients with high physical activity, after the needle procedure, kinesio tape was applied to the knee joint to stimulate local blood supply and reduce possible swelling. It should be noted that in no case was there any generalized hyperthermia, infectious or neurological complications.
Causes of the disease
The main cause of arthrosis is considered to be a violation of metabolic processes. Because of this, the tissue of the joints becomes thinner, a lack of cartilage tissue occurs, and the organ ceases to perform its function correctly. Inflammation and pain occur. Moreover, this process is avalanche-like, progressive, proceeds quite quickly, sometimes brings unbearable pain to its “owner”, and significantly reduces the quality of life. However, many are slow to get a diagnosis and proper treatment.
Excess weight, the onset of menopause, improper distribution of loads during physical training are also the main causes of arthrosis.
If we talk about Chinese diagnostics, then experts tend to see a violation of the energy balance of the renal meridian in the causes of arthrosis. In essence, this is a metabolic disorder, as well as problems with the lymphatic and endocrine systems, a violation of general and local immunity.
conclusions
The needle knife technology makes it possible to improve the condition of patients with diseases of large joints, improves joint function and reduces pain, which gives patients the opportunity not only to adapt socially, but also to avoid expensive and traumatic methods of surgical treatment, and also to significantly delay arthroplasty.
The prospects for the development of acupotomology in Russia can hardly be overestimated, since this method will not only reduce the cost of treating patients with diseases of the musculoskeletal system, but also significantly increase the number of patients treated with good long-term results due to the simplicity and low cost of the method.
The method and technique of carrying out such manipulations require the doctor’s absolute knowledge of the profile anatomy, training of specialists in medical centers that have not only a theoretical and practical basis, but also significant experience in acupotomology.
Articles / 07/10/2020
Symptoms of the disease
Arthrosis is quite easy to distinguish. Its onset will be indicated by fairly severe pain, stiffness of movement, and inability to perform physical activity. This disease is especially dangerous for professional athletes and coaches. For them, the appearance of arthrosis of any type of joint is a death sentence for career advancement.
A slight swelling, crunching, muscle tension, etc. may also occur. If nothing is done, the joint will become deformed, and then the treatment will be longer and more painful. Often the situation can only be saved by joint replacement and long-term rehabilitation.
Clinical example
A 32-year-old young man applied in April 2021 to be included in the register of those in need of hip replacement.
He was previously diagnosed with “Bilateral aseptic necrosis of the femoral heads, secondary coxarthrosis, stage II.” Combined contractures of the hip joints. Pain syndrome".
He considered himself ill for a year and complained of constant pain in the hip joints, limited movement in the hip joints, and changes in gait. Objectively: pronounced bilateral lameness and limitation of active and passive movements in the hip joints, palpation - pain in the inguinal folds, trochanteric region and increased tone of the gluteal muscles.
According to CT data from March 15, 2017: CT signs of aseptic necrosis of the head of the left femur, stage I-II; cysts of the head of the right femur; hydroarthrosis on the left. The patient was offered a course of acupuncture as an alternative to joint replacement at a young age, consent was obtained, and treatment began: 4 sessions weekly for the first month and 5 subsequent sessions monthly, simultaneously on both sides.
Upon completion of one course, according to the recommendations of the AOSIDI clinic specialists, a break was taken for 6 months. It should be noted that after the first course of treatment, the patient, on his own initiative, interrupted treatment for 10 months, since the pain syndrome no longer bothered him, but returned when I explained to him the need to continue treatment. On the control MRI dated April 4, 2019 (2 years after the CT scan dated March 15, 2017): more evidence for aseptic necrosis of the heads of both femoral bones of stage II–III.
Single subchondral cysts in the femoral heads. Moderate bilateral synovitis. Two years after treatment, pain in the hip joints is very rare, only after significant physical activity, the restriction of movement in both joints is insignificant, social function is active, there is currently no desire to operate the joints
Types of arthrosis
We can talk about primary or secondary types of arthrosis. In the first case, this diagnosis is made when the cause that led to this disease is unknown. In secondary arthrosis, the cause is usually well known. Among the main causes are injuries, impaired immune processes, arthritis, diseases of the endocrine system, and serious autoimmune diseases, for example, systemic lupus erythematosus.
A very serious type of arthrosis is polyarthrosis. In this case, several joints are affected at once, for example, the knee and hip.
What is the difference between arthritis and arthrosis?
Osteoarthritis and arthritis are quite easy to distinguish. The first disease occurs as age-related changes, due to injuries, metabolic disorders, and so on.
Arthritis is inflammatory changes in the joints. They occur due to infection.
The symptoms of both arthritis and arthrosis are, in general, similar. This is swelling, crunching, pain. However, the same pain differs in a number of ways. With arthrosis, severe pain can occur exclusively in a state of movement and precisely in the location of the affected joint; at rest it is practically absent. With arthritis, pain occurs during physical activity, sometimes during sleep, or when staying in the same position for a long time. When changing body position, the pain disappears.
The nature of the pain also differs. So, with arthritis it is acute, periodic, “twitching” in nature, and with arthrosis it is aching, “dull.”
Popular Chinese remedies for joints
Today, it is easy to buy a medical drug or device for individual use through online stores. Most often, consumers order ointments and orthopedic products.
Experts recommend paying attention to the Shuboshi device. You can use it at home to relieve sore joints or muscles. With its electrical impulses it replaces acupuncture, moxibustion, and massage. This reduces the degree of pain of various etiologies. The cost of the device is from 5,000 rubles.
Joint ointments
External remedies relieve symptoms and accelerate tissue regeneration. Particularly popular are Chinese ointments for joints “White Tiger” and “Pianping” (or 999). They are created on the basis of natural ingredients, complement the main treatment well, and have positive consumer reviews. The ointments are similar in composition, so they have almost the same effect on the joints.
