BACKGROUND:Intervertebral disc degeneration is the main pathological factor causing low back pain,which is closely related to macrophage-mediated immune inflammation.Tongdu Huoxue Decoction is a proven prescription for the treatment of intervertebral disc degeneration,but it is still unclear whether it can treat intervertebral disc degeneration by regulating the polarization phenotype of macrophages to inhibit inflammation in intervertebral disc tissue.OBJECTIVE:To investigate the regulatory effects of Tongdu Huoxue Decoction on the expression of macrophage-related inflammatory factors in intervertebral disc tissues of rats,as well as its mechanisms for the treatment of intervertebral disc degeneration.METHODS:Twenty-four Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into sham operation group,model group,and Tongdu Huoxue Decoction group,with eight rats in each group.An intervertebral disc degeneration model was established using the annulus fibrosus puncture method in the latter two groups.On the 1st postoperative day,10.8 g/kg Tongdu Huoxue Decoction was given by gavage in the Tongdu Huoxue Decoction group,and the same dose of saline was given by gavage in the sham operation group and the model group,once a day.After 4 weeks of intervention,histopathological changes in the intervertebral disc tissues were assessed using hematoxylin-eosin.Immunohistochemistry and quantitative real-time PCR were performed to detect the relative expression levels of CD68,CD206,interleukin 1β,interleukin 10,type II collagen,and matrix metalloproteinase 13 proteins or mRNA in the intervertebral disc tissues.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Hematoxylin-eosin staining results revealed that the model group exhibited a significant decrease in intervertebral disc height,disorganized annulus fibrosus structure with fissures,and unclear demarcation between the nucleus pulposus and the annulus fibrosus.The Tongdu Huoxue Decoction group showed organized arrangement of the annulus fibrosus with pyknosis.(2)Immunohistochemical results demonstrated that,compared with the model group,the Tongdu Huoxue Decoction group had significantly lower expressions of CD68,interleukin 1β,and matrix metalloproteinase 13,and significantly higher expressions of CD206,type II collagen and interleukin 10(P<0.05 or P<0.01).(3)qPCR results showed that there were significant differences in the mRNA expression of CD68,CD206,interleukin 1β,matrix metalloproteinase 13,type II collagen,and interleukin 10 between the three groups(P<0.001).To conclude,Tongdu Huoxue Decoction can improve intervertebral disc degeneration in the rat model of intervertebral disc degeneration,and its mechanism is associated with the inhibition of macrophage-related inflammatory responses in the intervertebral discs.

Objective To explore the biomechanical characteristics of different types of lumbar disc herniation(LDH),and provide a theoretical basis for the clinical classification,diagnosis,and treatment of LDH.Methods A normal lumbar spine model with spinal nerves and four types of LDH models(central type,paracentral type/lateral recess type,intervertebral foramen type,extreme type)were constructed,and the biomechanical characteristics of the intervertebral discs and nerve roots in neutral posture and under six degrees of freedom conditions were analyzed.Results In neutral position,the stress of normal intervertebral disc was carger than that of the herniated intervertebral disc,and the stress ratio of annulus fibrosus and nucleus pulposus in normal model was greater than that of annulus fibrosus and nucleus pulposus in herniated models.In neutral position,the disc stress was mainly concentrated at the incisor between the protrusion and normal part,and recruitment occurred at outer edge of the disc.In flexion and extension position,the stress of the herniated intervertebral disc shifted to the right side.The maximum stress of herniated intervertebral disc appeared during right flexion,and the nerve root stress on the right side was carger than that on the left side.The stress of the herniated intervertebral disc during right rotation was slightly lower than that during right flexion,and the stress of nerve root on the right side was smaller than that on the left side.Conclusions The intervertebral disc is important in maintaining lumbar dynamic and static stability and flexibility.Different positions have an obvious effect the intervertebral disc stress.For patients with LDH,forward bending,flexion of the affected side and large extension should be avoided.Appropriate rotation of the affected side can help relieve the symptoms of nerve root compression.

Objective To explore the effect of acupuncture combined with manual reduction on pain and lumbar function in elderly patients with degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis under the guidance of the Bone Strengthening and Tendon Softening Theory.Methods Ninety elderly patients with lumbar spondylolisthesis treated in our hospital from January 2021 to April 2023 were selected as study subjects.Based on a random number table method,the participants were divided into experimental group and control group,each consisting of 45 cases.The control group received acupuncture treatment,while the experimental group received manual reduction treatment on top of that.Both groups underwent continuous treatment for 4 weeks.We compared the two groups in Traditional Chinese Medicine(TCM)syndrome score,Visual Analog Scale(VAS)score,Japanese Orthopaedic Association(JOA)lumbar function score,Oswestry Disability Index(ODI),serum inflammatory factor level,and clinical efficacy between before and after treatment.Results Before treatment,there was no statistically significant difference in TCM syndrome scores or VAS scores between the two groups(P＞0.05).After treatment,both TCM syndrome scores and VAS scores significantly decreased in both groups,with the experimental group showing significantly lower scores than the control group(P＜0.05).Before treatment,there was no statistically significant difference in JOA scores and ODI scores between the two groups(P＞0.05).After treatment,JOA scores significantly increased in both groups,with the experimental group showing significantly higher scores than the control group(P＜0.05).ODI scores significantly decreased in both groups,with the experimental group showing significantly lower scores than the control group(P＜0.05).Before treatment,the two groups did not differ significantly in serum IL-6,TNF-α,or CRP levels(P＞0.05).After treatment,serum IL-6,TNF-α,and CRP levels significantly decreased in both groups,with the experimental group showing lower levels than the control group(P＜0.05).The total effective rate in the experimental group was 88.89％,significantly higher than 68.89％ in the control group(P＜0.05).Conclusion Acupuncture combined with manual reduction guided by the Bone Straightening and Tendon Softening theory can effectively alleviate pain,improve various TCM syndromes,enhance lumbar function level,and show significant clinical efficacy in patients.

Objective To explore the biomechanical safety of applying traditional Chinese orthopedic manipulation therapy after anterior cervical discectomy and fusion(ACDF)surgery,so as to provide a theoretical basis for clinical treatment in biomechanics.Methods Based on CT data,a three-dimensional finite element model of the normal C0-T1 cervical spine was established,and an ACDF postoperative finite element model of the C5-6 segment was constructed on this basis.Cervical spine rotation manipulation was simulated at the C4 and C7 segments of both models,and the von Mises stresses of the vertebral body,bilateral facet joints,intervertebral discs,and internal fixation system under manipulation loading of the C4 and C7 segments in both models were compared and analyzed.Results When the C4 segment was manipulated,the stress on the C5,C6,and C7 vertebral bodies in the ACDF postoperative model decreased by 12.3％,11.5％,and 26.4％,compared to the normal model.The stress on the left facet joints of the C4-5,C5-6,and C6-7 segments decreased by 12.3％,58.8％,and 15.4％,and the stress on the right facet joints decreased by 16.6％,92.1％,and 17.2％.The stress on the C4-5 and C6-7 segments decreased by 13.2％and 4.0％,while the maximum stress of the fusion cage,titanium plate,and screws in the C5-6 segment were 9.349,111.9,and 300.8 MPa.When the C7 segment was manipulated,the stress on the C4,C5,and C6 vertebral bodies in the ACDF postoperative model increased significantly compared to the normal model,especially the C5 vertebral body,with an increase of nearly 18 times.Except for the stress on the left facet joint of the C4-5 segment increased by 57.7％,the stress on the bilateral facet joints of other segments generally decreased,but the stress on the C4-5 and C6-7 segments increased by 43.2％and 21.7％and the stresses on the fusion cage,titanium plate,and screws in the C5-6 segment were 2.926,205.4,and 256.2 MPa.Conclusions The safety of performing manipulation on the upper vertebral body of the fusion segment after ACDF surgery is relatively high,but performing manipulation on the lower vertebral body of the fusion segment may lead to stress concentration and increase the risk of injury.When postoperative conservative treatment is implemented,the manipulation safety and indications should be considered to avoid operations in high-risk areas,and more precise and safe manipulation intervention treatment should be implemented based on the specific postoperative biomechanical state of the patient.

Objective To explore the effect of acupuncture combined with manual reduction on pain and lumbar function in elderly patients with degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis under the guidance of the Bone Strengthening and Tendon Softening Theory.Methods Ninety elderly patients with lumbar spondylolisthesis treated in our hospital from January 2021 to April 2023 were selected as study subjects.Based on a random number table method,the participants were divided into experimental group and control group,each consisting of 45 cases.The control group received acupuncture treatment,while the experimental group received manual reduction treatment on top of that.Both groups underwent continuous treatment for 4 weeks.We compared the two groups in Traditional Chinese Medicine(TCM)syndrome score,Visual Analog Scale(VAS)score,Japanese Orthopaedic Association(JOA)lumbar function score,Oswestry Disability Index(ODI),serum inflammatory factor level,and clinical efficacy between before and after treatment.Results Before treatment,there was no statistically significant difference in TCM syndrome scores or VAS scores between the two groups(P＞0.05).After treatment,both TCM syndrome scores and VAS scores significantly decreased in both groups,with the experimental group showing significantly lower scores than the control group(P＜0.05).Before treatment,there was no statistically significant difference in JOA scores and ODI scores between the two groups(P＞0.05).After treatment,JOA scores significantly increased in both groups,with the experimental group showing significantly higher scores than the control group(P＜0.05).ODI scores significantly decreased in both groups,with the experimental group showing significantly lower scores than the control group(P＜0.05).Before treatment,the two groups did not differ significantly in serum IL-6,TNF-α,or CRP levels(P＞0.05).After treatment,serum IL-6,TNF-α,and CRP levels significantly decreased in both groups,with the experimental group showing lower levels than the control group(P＜0.05).The total effective rate in the experimental group was 88.89％,significantly higher than 68.89％ in the control group(P＜0.05).Conclusion Acupuncture combined with manual reduction guided by the Bone Straightening and Tendon Softening theory can effectively alleviate pain,improve various TCM syndromes,enhance lumbar function level,and show significant clinical efficacy in patients.

Objective To explore the biomechanical safety of applying traditional Chinese orthopedic manipulation therapy after anterior cervical discectomy and fusion(ACDF)surgery,so as to provide a theoretical basis for clinical treatment in biomechanics.Methods Based on CT data,a three-dimensional finite element model of the normal C0-T1 cervical spine was established,and an ACDF postoperative finite element model of the C5-6 segment was constructed on this basis.Cervical spine rotation manipulation was simulated at the C4 and C7 segments of both models,and the von Mises stresses of the vertebral body,bilateral facet joints,intervertebral discs,and internal fixation system under manipulation loading of the C4 and C7 segments in both models were compared and analyzed.Results When the C4 segment was manipulated,the stress on the C5,C6,and C7 vertebral bodies in the ACDF postoperative model decreased by 12.3％,11.5％,and 26.4％,compared to the normal model.The stress on the left facet joints of the C4-5,C5-6,and C6-7 segments decreased by 12.3％,58.8％,and 15.4％,and the stress on the right facet joints decreased by 16.6％,92.1％,and 17.2％.The stress on the C4-5 and C6-7 segments decreased by 13.2％and 4.0％,while the maximum stress of the fusion cage,titanium plate,and screws in the C5-6 segment were 9.349,111.9,and 300.8 MPa.When the C7 segment was manipulated,the stress on the C4,C5,and C6 vertebral bodies in the ACDF postoperative model increased significantly compared to the normal model,especially the C5 vertebral body,with an increase of nearly 18 times.Except for the stress on the left facet joint of the C4-5 segment increased by 57.7％,the stress on the bilateral facet joints of other segments generally decreased,but the stress on the C4-5 and C6-7 segments increased by 43.2％and 21.7％and the stresses on the fusion cage,titanium plate,and screws in the C5-6 segment were 2.926,205.4,and 256.2 MPa.Conclusions The safety of performing manipulation on the upper vertebral body of the fusion segment after ACDF surgery is relatively high,but performing manipulation on the lower vertebral body of the fusion segment may lead to stress concentration and increase the risk of injury.When postoperative conservative treatment is implemented,the manipulation safety and indications should be considered to avoid operations in high-risk areas,and more precise and safe manipulation intervention treatment should be implemented based on the specific postoperative biomechanical state of the patient.

Objective To explore the biomechanical characteristics of different types of lumbar disc herniation(LDH),and provide a theoretical basis for the clinical classification,diagnosis,and treatment of LDH.Methods A normal lumbar spine model with spinal nerves and four types of LDH models(central type,paracentral type/lateral recess type,intervertebral foramen type,extreme type)were constructed,and the biomechanical characteristics of the intervertebral discs and nerve roots in neutral posture and under six degrees of freedom conditions were analyzed.Results In neutral position,the stress of normal intervertebral disc was carger than that of the herniated intervertebral disc,and the stress ratio of annulus fibrosus and nucleus pulposus in normal model was greater than that of annulus fibrosus and nucleus pulposus in herniated models.In neutral position,the disc stress was mainly concentrated at the incisor between the protrusion and normal part,and recruitment occurred at outer edge of the disc.In flexion and extension position,the stress of the herniated intervertebral disc shifted to the right side.The maximum stress of herniated intervertebral disc appeared during right flexion,and the nerve root stress on the right side was carger than that on the left side.The stress of the herniated intervertebral disc during right rotation was slightly lower than that during right flexion,and the stress of nerve root on the right side was smaller than that on the left side.Conclusions The intervertebral disc is important in maintaining lumbar dynamic and static stability and flexibility.Different positions have an obvious effect the intervertebral disc stress.For patients with LDH,forward bending,flexion of the affected side and large extension should be avoided.Appropriate rotation of the affected side can help relieve the symptoms of nerve root compression.

BACKGROUND:Intervertebral disc degeneration is the main pathological factor causing low back pain,which is closely related to macrophage-mediated immune inflammation.Tongdu Huoxue Decoction is a proven prescription for the treatment of intervertebral disc degeneration,but it is still unclear whether it can treat intervertebral disc degeneration by regulating the polarization phenotype of macrophages to inhibit inflammation in intervertebral disc tissue.OBJECTIVE:To investigate the regulatory effects of Tongdu Huoxue Decoction on the expression of macrophage-related inflammatory factors in intervertebral disc tissues of rats,as well as its mechanisms for the treatment of intervertebral disc degeneration.METHODS:Twenty-four Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into sham operation group,model group,and Tongdu Huoxue Decoction group,with eight rats in each group.An intervertebral disc degeneration model was established using the annulus fibrosus puncture method in the latter two groups.On the 1st postoperative day,10.8 g/kg Tongdu Huoxue Decoction was given by gavage in the Tongdu Huoxue Decoction group,and the same dose of saline was given by gavage in the sham operation group and the model group,once a day.After 4 weeks of intervention,histopathological changes in the intervertebral disc tissues were assessed using hematoxylin-eosin.Immunohistochemistry and quantitative real-time PCR were performed to detect the relative expression levels of CD68,CD206,interleukin 1β,interleukin 10,type II collagen,and matrix metalloproteinase 13 proteins or mRNA in the intervertebral disc tissues.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Hematoxylin-eosin staining results revealed that the model group exhibited a significant decrease in intervertebral disc height,disorganized annulus fibrosus structure with fissures,and unclear demarcation between the nucleus pulposus and the annulus fibrosus.The Tongdu Huoxue Decoction group showed organized arrangement of the annulus fibrosus with pyknosis.(2)Immunohistochemical results demonstrated that,compared with the model group,the Tongdu Huoxue Decoction group had significantly lower expressions of CD68,interleukin 1β,and matrix metalloproteinase 13,and significantly higher expressions of CD206,type II collagen and interleukin 10(P<0.05 or P<0.01).(3)qPCR results showed that there were significant differences in the mRNA expression of CD68,CD206,interleukin 1β,matrix metalloproteinase 13,type II collagen,and interleukin 10 between the three groups(P<0.001).To conclude,Tongdu Huoxue Decoction can improve intervertebral disc degeneration in the rat model of intervertebral disc degeneration,and its mechanism is associated with the inhibition of macrophage-related inflammatory responses in the intervertebral discs.

Based on the pathogenesis of “tendon off-position and joint subluxation”， combined with modern ana-tomy and biomechanics， the characteristic manifestations of “tendon off-position” and “joint subluxation” of the knee and the intrinsic connection between them are clarified. Through sorting out the relationship between “tendon off-position and joint subluxation” and knee osteoarthritis （KOA） in modern research， it is believed that “tendon off-position and joint subluxation” is the key mechanism for the occurrence and development of KOA， and accordingly， it is proposed to take the diet as the guide， use bone manipulation for external diagnosis and treatment， use traditional Chinese medicine decoction for internal treatment， and use Daoyin exercise throughout the whole process as the strategy for KOA's comprehensive traditional Chinese medicine treatment to improve the clinical effectiveness.

BACKGROUND:"Tendon off-position"is a disease name included in the International Classification of Diseases 11th Revision,and also a clinical indication of manipulation,acupuncture and other treatments.However,its specific mechanism is still unclear.It is urgent to establish an animal model that can reflect the clinical and pathological characteristics of"tendon off-position,"so as to further study the mechanism of effective clinical treatments. OBJECTIVE:To establish an animal model of"tendon off-position"in rats based on isometric contraction of skeletal muscles,and to explore the changes of skeletal muscle function and morphological phenotype after"tendon off-position." METHODS:Sixty rats were randomly divided into control group,static-loading group and extra loading group,with twenty rats in each group.Rats in the control group were kept normally without treatment.In the latter two groups,the rats were fixed by the self-made static-loading modeling device and a static-loading(the body mass of each rats was applied as the static-loading)was applied to cause sustained isometric contraction of the upper limb muscles.Then,animal models of"tendon off-position"were successfully established.In the extra loading group,50%of the body mass was added to the ankle joint after modeling.The skeletal muscle samples were harvested at 2 and 4 weeks after modeling.The changes of limb grip strength,wet mass of skeletal muscle,and serum levels of creatine kinase-muscle and lactate dehydrogenase A were measured,and the changes of skeletal muscle histomorphology and ultrastructure were observed. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:At 2 weeks after modeling,the rats in the static-loading group and extra loading group showed significantly decreased grip strength and wet muscle mass,significantly increased serum levels of creatine kinase-muscle and lactate dehydrogenase A,and abnormal muscle fiber morphology and structure accompanied by a large number of deposited collagen fibers.Electron microscopy results showed that the structure of myofibrils was disordered,the Z-line was distorted,and the light and dark boundaries were blurred.At 4 weeks after modeling,the grip strength of the model rats was increased compared with that at 2 weeks,the serum creatine kinase-muscle and lactate dehydrogenase A levels were decreased,and the changes of muscle fiber morphology and ultrastructure were recovered to varying degrees.It is suggested that the rat skeletal muscle injury model based on continuous isometric contraction of skeletal muscle can well reflect the pathological characteristics of"tendon off-position"at 2 weeks,and can be used to study the mechanism of acupuncture and manipulation in the treatment of"tendon off-position."