OBJECTIVETo explore the effect of electroacupuncture therapy for postoperative rehabilitation of total knee replacement of knee osteoarthritis.

METHODSSeventy cases of total knee replacement of knee osteoarthritis were randomly divided into an acupuncture-rehabilitation group and a rehabilitation group, thirty five cases in each group. In acupuncture-rehabilitation group, routine rehabilitation therapy combined with electroacupuncture therapy was applied. The acupoints selection was mainly based on pathological location; Xuehai (SP 10), Liangqiu (ST 34), Dubi (ST 35), Neixiyan (EX-LE 4) and Yanglingquan (GB 34), etc. were selected. In rehabilitation group, routine rehabilitation therapy was applied. The functions of affected knee in both groups were evaluated by artificial total knee replacement scale of the New York Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS), range of motion (ROM) of affected knee, Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) of pain and Manual Muscle Test (MMT) before, and 2, 6 and 12 weeks after surgery.

RESULTSHSS scores in acupuncture-rehabilitation group were markedly higher than those in rehabilitation group in 2, 6 and 12 weeks after surgery (P < 0.05, P < 0.01); VAS scores in acupuncture-rehabilitation group were markedly lower than those in rehabilitation group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01); ROM and MMT in acupuncture-rehabilitation group were little superior to those in rehabilitation group, however, there was no significant difference (all P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONRehabilitation therapy combined with electroacupuncture can obviously restrain the pain during rehabilitation process for total knee replacement patients, improve the endurance capacity of rehabilitation training and motivation, and obviously promote the recovery of total knee joint function.