OBJECTIVETo discuss the clinical effect on swelling and pain after total knee arthroplasty treated with acupoint massage, mild moxibustion and routine detumescence.

METHODSOne hundred and twenty patients of knee osteoarthritis (KOA) after total knee arthroplasty (TKA), were randomized into an observation group and a control group, 60 cases in each one. In the control group, after TKA, the routine detumescence was applied, including elastic bandage compression, the operated limb raising exercise, knee joint braking, local ice compress, intermittent pneumatic compression, active ankle pumping and quadriceps contraction exercise, continuous passive mechanical exercise, using stretch socks, oral administration of rivaroxaban tablets, 10 mg, once a day, continuously for 21 to 24 days. In the observation group, on the basis of the routine detumescence as the control group, 1 h after operation, acupoint massage was done at Zusanli (ST 36) and Sanyinjiao (SP 6) till soreness and distension presented, twice a day; 48 h after operation, mild moxibustion was intervened at Zusanli (ST 36) and Sanyinjiao (SP 6), avoiding burning pain, once a day, continuously till the 7th day after operation. Before and after operation, the limb swelling condition and the scores of visual analogue scale (VAS) and HSS (hospital for special surgery) knee joint function were observed in the patients of the two groups.

RESULTSOn the 1st, 3rd, 5th, 7th and 14th days after operation, the swelling incidence in the observation group was apparently lower than that in the control group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). On the 1st, 3rd, 5th and 7th days after operation, the scores of VAS in the observation group were lower than those in the control group (all P < 0.05). On the 7th and 14th days after operation, the scores of HSS in the observation group were better than those in the control group (all P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe combined intervention of acupoint massage and mild moxibustion reduces the incidence of lower limb swelling, alleviates pain and promotes knee joint function recovery of TKA and the effects are better than those achieved by the simple routine detumescence therapy.