Objective: To observe the difference in the therapeutic effect on acute ankle sprain treated with the combination of surrounding needling and cold compression in comparison of the conventional cold compression.
Methods: The patients with acute ankle sprain were randomly divided into control group (33 cases) and observation group (35 cases). In the first 3 days of treatment, the conventional cold compression was used in the control group, while the surrounding needling technique of acupuncture was combined with cold compression in the observation group. Separately, along the distal-lateral side of the leg, and the lateral sides of the heel and the dorsal part of the foot, 3 or 4 needles were inserted in each part，total 9 to 12 needles, toward the center of swelling and pain site, and distributed in a fan shape. The needles were retained for 30 min and the acupuncture therapy was delivered once daily. Since the 4th day of treatment, the hot compress and the static stretching exercise of the ankle joint were adopted in the two groups, once daily for 1 week. The visual analogue scale (VAS) score for ankle pain and ankle swelling degree were compared between the two groups before and after 3-day treatment, as well as the score of American orthopedic foot and ankle society (AOFAS) ankle-hindfoot scale was evaluated.
Results: After 3-day treatment, VAS score was decreased in both groups (P<0.01), and the score in the observation group was lower than that of the control group (P<0.01). Ankle swelling degree was relieved in both groups (P<0.01), and there was no significant difference between the two groups. After 1 week of treatment, the scores of AOFAS ankle-hindfoot scale were improved in both groups (P<0.01), and the score in the observation group was higher than the control group (P<0.05).
Conclusion: Either the combined therapy of surrounding needling and cold compression or the conventional cold compression can effectively relieve pain and swelling induced by acute ankle sprain. The therapeutic effect of the combined therapy is superior to the conventional cold compression for the motor function improvement of ankle joint.
目的：比较围刺联合冷敷加压与常规冷敷加压治疗急性踝关节扭伤的疗效差异。方法：急性踝关节扭伤患者随机分为对照组33例和观察组35例。治疗前3 d，对照组采用常规冷敷加压处理，观察组采用围刺联合冷敷加压治疗，分别沿小腿远端外侧面、足跟及足背外侧向肿痛处呈向心扇形针刺3—4针，共9—12针，留针30 min，每日1次，共治疗3次；治疗第4天开始，两组均采用患处热敷及踝关节静力训练，每日1次，共治疗7次。比较两组患者治疗前后踝关节视觉模拟量尺（VAS）评分和踝关节肿胀程度；比较两组患者治疗前后踝关节AOFAS踝-后足功能评分。结果：治疗3 d后，两组患者VAS评分均较治疗前降低(P<0.01)，观察组低于对照组(P<0.01)；两组患者踝关节肿胀程度均减轻(P<0.01)。治疗1周后，两组患者AOFAS踝-后足功能评分均升高(P<0.01)，且观察组高于对照组(P<0.05)。结论：围刺联合冷敷加压与常规冷敷加压均能有效缓解急性踝关节扭伤所致的疼痛、肿胀，改善踝关节功能，围刺联合冷敷加压疗效优于常规冷敷加压处理治疗。.
Keywords: Acute ankle sprain; Cold compression; Surrounding needling.