Therapeutic effect of electro-acupuncture in the treatment of Achilles tendonitis

ObjectiveTo investigate the clinical efficacy of electroacupuncture for the treatment of Achilles tendonitis.MethodsSixty patients with Achilles tendonitis at the age of 18-55 years old were randomly divided into electroacupuncture group (group A) and low frequency impulse group (group B) according to the random number table with 30 patients in each group. Chéngshān ( BL 57), Ashì point, Tàixī ( Kl 3) and Kūnlún ( BL 60) were selected as main acupoints, local point selection was adopted as main method and distal point selection as supplement. Patients in group A were treated with electroacupuncture and in group B were treated with low frequency impulse therapeutic apparatus. Patients in both groups were treated for 12 times, 3 times per week in the 1st and 2nd weeks, twice a week in the 3rd and 4th weeks, and once a week in the 5th and 6th weeks, with a total of 6 weeks. The heel pain VAS scores, tenderness and efficacy of dysfunction in two groups were comparatively analyzed.ResultsPain: there was significant difference in pain scores in group A before and after treatment (1.67±0.71 vs 3.03±1.81, P<0.01), and the difference in pain scores was not significant in group B before and after treatment (2.13±1.17 vs 2.87±1.57, P>0.05). Tenderness: In group A, 13 patients had mild tenderness, 15 had moderate tenderness and 2 had severe tenderness before treatment. After treatment, 26 patients had mild tenderness, 4 had moderate tenderness and no patients had severe tenderness. In group B, 15 patients had mild tenderness, 14 had moderate tenderness and 1 had severe tenderness before treatment. After treatment, 24 patients had mild tenderness, 5 had moderate tenderness and one patient had severe tenderness. Dysfunction: in group A, 12 patients had mild dysfunction, 16 had moderate dysfunction and 2 had severe dysfunction before treatment. After treatment, 24 patients had mild dysfunction, 6 had moderate dysfunction and no patients had severe dysfunction. In group B, 13 patients had mild dysfunction, 15 had moderate dysfunction and 2 had severe dysfunction before treatment. After treatment, 14 patients had mild dysfunction, 13 had moderate dysfunction and one patient had severe dysfunction. There is significant difference in total effective rate between two groups [100%(30/30) vs 86.67(26/30), P<0.05].ConclusionElectroacupuncture has better therapeutic effect than that low frequency impulse therapy in the treatment of Achilles tendonitis, which can eliminate or improve symptoms, as well as heighten the quality of life for patients.