This paper summarizes professor GUAN Ling's clinical experience in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis (KOA) with structure-based medical acupuncture (SMA). Based on anatomy and biomechanics and through accurate physical examination, SMA adjusts the mechanical imbalance of muscles to relieve KOA dysfunction, and releases nerve compression to attenuate pain symptoms of KOA. In reference to traditional acupoint selection, and in association with painful areas and mechanical deduction, ashi points located at the rectus femoris, vastus intermedius, vastus medialis and vastus lateralis muscles, etc. are specially stimulated with acupuncture; and the rehabilitation training and health education are the adjuvant treatment for the patients.
Humans ; Osteoarthritis, Knee ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Acupuncture Points ; Adjuvants, Immunologic ; Pain ; Quadriceps Muscle

OBJECTIVE: To explore relationship between intramuscular fat content of quadriceps femoris and clinical severity of knee osteoarthritis (KOA). METHODS: Totally 30 KOA patients were selected from February 2021 to June 2021, including 6 males and 24 females, aged with an average of (64.20±9.19) years old, and body mass index (BMI) was (24.92±3.35) kg·m-2. Patients were divided into relative severe leg (RSL) and relative moderate leg (RML) according to severity of pain on visual analogue scale(VAS). Musculoskeletal ultrasound was used to collect muscle images of quadriceps muscles on both sides of the patient, and Image J was used to analyze echo intensity (EI) of each muscle. Both VAS and Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) were used to assess pain and function. Quadriceps muscle EI on both sides of patients was compared. Pearson correlation analysis was conducted to analyze correlation between quadriceps muscle EI value between RSL and RML, and linear regression was used to analyze relationship between each muscle EI and VAS and WOMA scores of patients. RESULTS: The EI of RSL lateral vastus lateralis (VL) was 123.78±36.25 and RSL vastus medialis (VM) was 109.46±30.36 which were significantly higher than those of 108.03±31.34 and 93.32±26.04 of RML (P<0.05), but there was no statistical significance in EI values of rectus femoris (RF) on both sides (P>0.05). EI values of VL and VM on both sides were significantly correlated (P<0.05). There was a significant positive correlation between VM EI value and VAS score in RSL and RML (P<0.05). VM EI values in RSL were positively correlated with total WOMAC (P<0.05), and VM VL EI values in RML were positively correlated with total WOMAC score (P<0.05). CONCLUSION Intramuscular fat content of quadriceps is closely related to severity of clinical symptoms in KOA patients, and the most obvious one is VM. Therefore, the intramuscular fat content of quadriceps may be an objective indicator to evaluate severity of KOA patients. At the same time, reducing intramuscular fat content of the quadriceps muscle of KOA patients may be a new direction for the prevention and treatment of KOA.
Male ; Female ; Humans ; Aged ; Middle Aged ; Quadriceps Muscle/physiology* ; Osteoarthritis, Knee/diagnosis* ; Pain ; Body Mass Index ; Muscle Strength/physiology* ; Knee Joint

Objective: To explore the effects of bicycle ergometer rehabilitation training on quadriceps and walking ability of patients with lower limb dysfunction caused by extensive burns. Methods: A prospective randomized controlled study was conducted. A total of 40 patients with extensive burns who met the inclusion criteria and were admitted to Tongren Hospital of Wuhan University＆Wuhan Third Hospital from December 2017 to December 2020 were selected. According to the random number table, the patients were divided into conventional training group (16 males, 4 females, aged (45±10) years) and combined training group (13 males, 7 females, aged (39±8) years). Patients in conventional training group were given conventional rehabilitation therapy such as joint loosening, lower limb strength training, walking training, and pressure therapy, while patients in combined training group were given additional bicycle ergometer rehabilitation training on the basis of conventional rehabilitation. For patients in the 2 groups before and after a 2-month's treatment, the thickness of quadriceps was measured by ultrasonic diagnostic instrument, the muscle strength of quadriceps was measured by portable muscle strength tester, the walking ability was tested with a 6-min and a 10-meter walk tests, and the patients' satisfaction for treatment effects was assessed using the modified Likert scale. Data were statistically analyzed with independent or paired sample t test, Mann-Whitney U test, Wilcoxon signed rank test, or chi-square test. Results: After 2-month's treatment, the quadriceps thickness of patients in combined training group was (3.76±0.39) cm, which was significantly thicker than (3.45±0.35) cm in conventional training group (t=2.67, P<0.05); quadriceps thickness of patients in conventional training group and combined training group after 2-month's treatment was significantly thicker than that before treatment (with t values of 5.99 and 8.62, respectively, P<0.01). After 2-month's treatment, the quadriceps muscle strength of patients in combined training group was significantly greater than that in conventional training group (Z=2.69, P<0.01); quadriceps muscle strength of patients in conventional training group and combined training group after 2-month's treatment was significantly greater than that before treatment (with Z values of 3.92 and 3.92, respectively, P<0.01). After 2-month's treatment, the 6-min walking distance of patients in combined training group was (488±39) m, which was significantly longer than (429±25) m in conventional training group (t=5.66, P<0.01); the 6-min walking distance of patients after 2-month's treatment in conventional training group and combined training group was significantly longer than that before treatment (with t values of 13.16 and 17.92, respectively, P<0.01). After 2-month's treatment, the 10-meter walking time of patients in combined training group was significantly shorter than that in conventional training group (t=3.20, P<0.01); and the 10-meter walking time in conventional training group and combined training group was significantly shorter than that before treatment (with t values of 7.21 and 13.13, respectively, P<0.01). The patients' satisfaction score for treatment effects in combined training group was significantly higher than that in conventional training group (Z=3.14, P<0.01), and the patients' satisfaction scores for treatment effects in conventional training group and combined training group after 2-month's treatment were significantly greater than those before treatment (with Z values of 3.98 and 4.04, respectively, P<0.01). Conclusions: Bicycle ergometer rehabilitation training can be used to improve quadriceps thickness, muscle strength, and walking ability of patients with lower limb dysfunction caused by extensive burns. It can also improve the satisfaction of patients with the treatment outcome, and therefore is worthy of promotion.
Bicycling ; Burns/therapy* ; Female ; Humans ; Lower Extremity ; Male ; Prospective Studies ; Quadriceps Muscle ; Treatment Outcome ; Walking

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of acupotomy on the morphology and ultrastructure of rectus femoris muscle in rabbits with knee osteoarthritis and to reveal the possible therapeutic mechanism involved in the effect of acupotomology on the treatment of knee osteoarthritis(KOA). METHODS: Twenty-four male New Zealand rabbits aged 6 months and weighed (2.0±0.5) kg were randomly divided into blank group, model group and acupotomy group, 8 rabbits in each group. KOA model was established by modified Videman method with left hind limb extended plaster immobility for 6 weeks. In acupotomy group, the transfascial focal points of quadriceps femoris muscle were released by acupotomy under the guidance of Jingjin theory for 4 times and once a week, and the treatment points include Hedingci, Binwaixia, Binneixia. Blank group and model group were fed normally without intervention. One week after the end of the intervention, the pennation angle(PA), muscle thickness(MT), cross-sectional area(CSA) and strain ratio(SR) of rectus femoris were measured by ultrasound. HE staining was used to observe the changes of the tissue morphology, the number of muscle fibers and the average area of muscle fibers. The myofibril of rectus femoris, sarcomere and myofilament were observed by transmission electron microscope. RESULTS: The PA of rectus femoris muscle in the blank group was (9.05±0.21)°. The MT was(1.09±0.09) cm and the CSA was(1.30±0.01) cm². The PA of rectus femoris muscle in the model group was (3.06±0.15)°. The MT was (0.71±0.02) cm and the CSA was(0.77±0.02) cm². The PA of rectus femoris muscle in the acupotomy group was (6.94±0.28)°. The MT was (0.80±0.05) cm and the CSA was(0.94±0.03) cm². The muscle PA, MT and CSA of rectus femoris in the model group were significantly smaller than those in the blank group (P<0.05). Those in acupotomy group were significantly increased compared with those in model group (P<0.05). The SR of rectus femoris muscle was 1.19±0.02 in the blank group, 3.50±0.05 in the model group and 1.99±0.07 in the acupotomy group. The elastic SR of the model group was significantly higher than that of the blank group (P<0.05). These in acupotomy group was significantly lower than that in model group(P<0.05). The results of HE staining showed:in blank group, the fascicles of rectus femoris were arranged neatly, the number of beam of muscle fibers within the fixed visual field was 94.38±3.50 and the average CSA was(0.75±0.22) mm². In model group, the fascicles of rectus femoris with different sizes were disorganized with a small amount of inflammatory cell infiltration, the number of beam of muscle fibers within the fixed visual field was 196.63±2.62 and the average CSA was(0.26±0.03) mm². Compared to the blank group, a significant increase in the number of muscle fibers in the fixed field in the model group (P<0.05) and the average CSA decreased significantly(P<0.05). In acupotomy group, the rectus femoris fascicles in the acupotomy group tended to be arranged in a more orderly manner, with the inflammatory cells decreased, the number of beam of muscle fibers within the fixed visual field was 132.88±4.61 and the average CSA was(0.70±0.07) mm². Compared to the model group, a significant decrease in the number of muscle fibers in the fixed field in the model group(P<0.05) and the average CSA increased significantly(P<0.05). The results of transmission electron microscope showed:compared with the blank group, the overall arrangement of the myofibrils of the rectus femoris in the model group was less structured. There was fracture between the muscle fibers and the sarcomere, the myofilaments were disordered, and the fracture of the Z line was discontinuous. Compared with the model group, the myofibrillar texture of rectus femoris in acupotomy group was clearer, and the Z line was more continuous. CONCLUSION Based on the jingjin theory, the release of quadriceps femoris by acupotomy can effectively improve the morphology and structure of rectus femoris, and promote the repair and reconstruction of chronic skeletal muscle injury in rabbits with KOA, which may be one of the mechanisms of acupotomy in the treatment of KOA.
Acupuncture Therapy ; Animals ; Humans ; Male ; Muscle, Skeletal ; Osteoarthritis, Knee/therapy* ; Quadriceps Muscle ; Rabbits ; Ultrasonography

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the correlation between the quadriceps cross-sectional area (CSA) and quadriceps muscle volume (QMV) at different horizontal levels from the upper edge of the patella, and to determine the best observation position. METHODS: Thigh magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) images of 22 Chinese young men [age: (29±6) years] with anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture were examined. The CSA was measured at 18, 15, and 12 cm above the upper edge of the pate-lla (denoted by CSA-18, CSA-15 and CSA-12 respectively), and the QMV and CSA were determined by semiautomatic segmentation. A curve model was established to estimate QMV. Bland-Altman analysis was performed to determine the confidence limits of the volumes. RESULTS: On the unaffected side, the mean QMV was (1 944.45±323.77) cm³. The quadriceps CSA at the upper edge of the patella at 18, 15, and 12 cm was (80.80±12.16) cm², (77.53±12.03) cm², and (72.68±10.51) cm², respectively. The coefficients of determination (R²), ascertained using curve estimation models, for the 3 positions were 0.819, 0.755, and 0.684 (P < 0.001), and the standard deviations of the volume estimated value (SEE) were 7.4%, 8.7%, and 9.8%. The fitting equations of the three horizontal positions were all good, but the fitting degree of CSA-18 was the highest. The Bland-Altman scatter plot showed that the arithmetic means of the QMV at 18, 15 and 12 cm from the upper edge of the patella 0.8 cm³, -1.1 cm³, and 0.9 cm³ and 95% limits of agreement (LoA) were (-268.8, 270.5), (-315.2, 313.1), and (-355.7, 357.5), respectively. The estimated QMV was in good agreement with the measured value. The difference between the estimated CSA-18 and measured values was the smallest. The results on the affected side were consistent. CONCLUSION The correlation between QMV and CSA in the young men with the upper edge of patella as baseline was reliable and consistent. Among them, CSA-18 had the highest correlation with the QMV. However, different observation sites could be selected for different injuries of the quadriceps.
Adult ; Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries/surgery* ; Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Patella ; Quadriceps Muscle/diagnostic imaging* ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical results of the application of critical rehabilitation pathway in the rehabilitation after total knee arthroplasty. METHODS: From March 2015 to December 2019, 67 patients with total knee arthroplasty (TKA) were included. There were 49 females and 18 males, 42 cases on the left and 25 cases on the right, with an average age of 60 to 81(70.72±5.92) years old. Critical rehabilitation paths included intensive strength and gait rehabilitation exercises. All patients were evaluated before operation and 3, 12 months after operation. The evaluation indexes included stair climbing test (SCT), six minute walk test (6MWT), quadriceps and hamstring strength, range of motion, visual pain scale (VAS), Western Ontario McMasterUniversity Osteoarthritis score(WOMAC). RESULTS: All the patients completed the entire pathway and the assessment. The results of pre-operative, 3 months after surgery and 12 months after surgery were as follows respectively. SCT-up: (16.32±3.58) s, (18.16±2.46) s, (11.00±1.29) s, CONCLUSION Critical rehabilitation path is safe and effective. The knee function of patients who receive critical rehabilitation path after TKA is significantly improved in the first 12 months after operation.
Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee ; Female ; Humans ; Knee Joint/surgery* ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Osteoarthritis, Knee/surgery* ; Quadriceps Muscle ; Range of Motion, Articular ; Recovery of Function

OBJECTIVE: To study mechanism of improvement of stress concentration on patellofemoral joint by stiletto needle releasing lateral patellar retinaculum guided by the theory of Jinshugu() and based on the finite element model of knee joint. and to elucidate the biomechanical mechanism of stiletto needle releasing changing patellar trajectory and reducing patellofemoral joint pressure. METHODS: CT data of knee joint from a normal male (aged 29, heighted 171 cm, weighted 58 kg) was selected. Starting with construction of three-dimensional model of knee joint by using finite element software, the finite element model of knee joint with complete tendonand bone structures were established through several steps, such as geometric reconstruction, reverse engineering, meshing, material assignment and loading analysis. The loading condition was set as 500 N load on knee joint, and the average tensile stress of quadriceps femoris tendon was about 200 N. To simulate the release of lateral patellar retinaculum by stiletto needle at 30 and 90 position of knee flexion in finite element model separately, and to compare the improvement of stress concentration of patellofemoral joint by stiletto needle intervention under different knee flexion conditions. RESULTS: The peak stress of patellofemoral joint and tibiofemoral joint decreased after stiletto needle releasing of patellofemoral lateral retinaculum compared with before intervention, which was(1) knee flexion at 30 degrees:patellar cartilage decreased by 0.498 MPa (decreased 9.06%), femoral trochlea decreased by 0.886 MPa(decreased 16.27%);(2) knee flexion at 90 degrees:patellar cartilage decreased by 0.558 MPa (decreased 8.6%), femoral trochlea decreasedby 0.607 MPa (decreased 9.94%). CONCLUSION Releasing lateral patellofemoral retinaculum with stiletto needle could effectively alleviate the stress concentration of patellofemoral joint and reduce local stress peak value, which it is helpful to improve patellar trajectory and make stress distribution more uniform.
Adult ; Biomechanical Phenomena ; Finite Element Analysis ; Humans ; Knee Joint ; Male ; Patella ; Patellofemoral Joint ; Quadriceps Muscle ; Range of Motion, Articular

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical efficacy of warm moxibustion therapy in the recovery of quadriceps muscle strength in patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty (TKA) with analgesia of the femoral nerve block (FNB). METHODS: A total of 174 patients with KOA were randomized into a warm moxibustion group and a rehabilitation group, 87 cases in each group. In the warm moxibustion group, warm moxibustion combined with conventional quadriceps strength training were used. In the rehabilitation group, conventional quadriceps strength training was given. The warm moxibustion was applied at Liangqiu (ST 34) and Zusanli (ST 36), the treatment was given twice a day, 7 days for one course, with a total of 2 courses.The quadriceps muscle strength of the two groups was recorded and compared at 24 h before FNB, 24, 48, 72 and 96 h after surgery, and the resting and exercise VAS pain scores were also recorded at the same time point. And the first time for standing up and the first straight raising time in the two groups were compared, and the occurrence of adverse reactions in the two groups were observed. RESULTS: At 24, 48, 72 and 96 h after FNB, the quadriceps muscle strength in the warm moxibustion group was better than that in the rehabilitation group (<0.05, <0.01). At 72 h and 96 h after FNB, the resting and exercise VAS scores of the warm moxibustion group were lower than those of the rehabilitation group (both <0.001). The average first straight leg raising time in the warm moxibustion group was postoperative (31.03±10.78) h, and the time in the rehabilitation group was postoperative (47.23±15.78) h. The difference was statistically significant (<0.001). The average time of the first time for standing up in the warm moxibustion group was postoperative (25.76±7.00) h, and postoperative (33.12±11.18) h in the rehabilitation group. The difference was also statistically significant (<0.001). No adverse reactions occurred in both groups. CONCLUSION Warm moxibustion combined with conventional quadriceps strength training can improve the symptoms of quadriceps weakness in patients with femoral nerve block after total knee arthroplasty, and accelerate the recovery of joint function, which is superior to conventional quadriceps strength training.
Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee ; Femoral Nerve ; Humans ; Moxibustion ; Muscle Strength ; Nerve Block ; Pain, Postoperative ; Quadriceps Muscle ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of intermittent negative pressure therapy on the skin microcirculation perfusion of quadriceps in male rowers, and to provide basis for the practical application of this method. METHODS: Fourteen male rowers were selected from the national rowing team and randomly divided into experimental and control groups. The daily training plans of two groups were the same. The recovery intervention for experimental group was implemented by 20 minutes in the cube of Vacusport Regeneration System (German), 5 times per week for 4 weeks, no recovery intervention for control group. Microcirculation markers were collected by PeriFlux5000 system before and after the 4-week intervention. The markers included microcirculatory blood perfusion(MBP), average velocity of blood cells(AVBC), concentration of moving blood cells (CMBC), and values of the markers included basic values and post-heating values (44℃), difference before and after heating of the values was considered as the reserve capacity of those markers. RESULTS: The test results before the 4 weeks intervention showed there was no statistical difference between the two groups(P＞0.05). After the 4 weeks intervention: ①MBP: The post-heating value and the difference of the experimental group were significantly higher than those of the control group (P＜0.05). But there was no statistical inner-group difference. ②AVBC: The post-heating values and the difference in the experimental group were significantly lower than those in the control group (P＜0.05). Intra-group comparison found that the post-heating values after post-intervention were significantly reduced, compared with those of pre-intervention (P＜ 0.01); the difference after post-intervention was reduced significantly, compared with those in the pre-intervention (P＜0.05). ③CMBC: The post-heating values and the difference in the experimental group were significantly higher than those in the control group (P＜0.01). There were no statistical significant inner-group difference. CONCLUSION Lower limb intermittent negative pressure therapy can improve the skin microcirculation of the quadriceps of the male rowers, which has a positive effect on the rapid recovery of physical fitness.
Humans ; Lower Extremity ; Male ; Microcirculation ; Pressure ; Quadriceps Muscle ; blood supply ; Skin ; blood supply ; Water Sports

INTRODUCTION: Adductor canal block (ACB) is hypothesised to provide superior analgesia to femoral nerve block (FNB) for total knee arthroplasty (TKA) while preserving quadriceps strength. METHODS: 30 patients undergoing TKA were randomised to receive either ACB or FNB. Baseline tests of quadriceps strength were performed. Ultrasound-guided blocks with 30 mL of 0.5% ropivacaine were administered before induction of general anaesthesia. Patient-controlled analgesia (morphine) was prescribed for postoperative analgesia. The primary outcome of this prospective, double-blinded, randomised controlled trial was morphine consumption (mean ± standard deviation) in the first 24 hours. Secondary outcomes were pain scores using a numeric rating scale (median and interquartile range [IQR]), quadriceps strength (% of baseline) and functional outcomes at 24 hours and 48 hours postoperatively. RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference in morphine consumption at 24 hours between the ACB and FNB groups (21 ± 11 mg vs. 20 ± 12 mg; p = 0.85). No statistically significant differences were observed between the ACB and FNB groups in pain scores at 24 hours (at rest: 0 [IQR 0-2] vs. 0 [IQR 0-2]; on movement: 5 [IQR 4-8] vs. 5 [IQR 3-8]) and quadriceps strength (24 hours: 28.8% ± 26.1% vs. 26.8% ± 19.6% of baseline; 48 hours: 31.5 ± 23.1% vs. 33.7% ± 20.1% of baseline). There were also no statistically significant differences in functional outcomes and length of stay. CONCLUSION We found no statistically significant differences in analgesic effects, quadriceps strength or functional recovery postoperatively between ACB and FNB.
Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Analgesia, Patient-Controlled ; methods ; Analgesics, Opioid ; therapeutic use ; Anesthetics, Local ; administration & dosage ; Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee ; Double-Blind Method ; Female ; Femoral Nerve ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Morphine ; therapeutic use ; Nerve Block ; methods ; Pain Management ; methods ; Pain Measurement ; Pain, Postoperative ; drug therapy ; Prospective Studies ; Quadriceps Muscle ; drug effects ; Treatment Outcome ; Ultrasonography