Safety and efficacy of ultrasound-guided percutaneous A1 pulley release using a needle knife: An anatomical study.

Objective: The present study aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of ultrasound-guided percutaneous A1 pulley release using a needle knife. Methods: The author performed percutaneous A1 pulley release in 84 cadaveric hands fixed with 10% formalin. The cadaveric hands were divided into three groups: 28 hands in each group (group U: ultrasound-guided needle knife pushing group, group N: non-ultrasound-guided needle knife pushing group, group T: classical needle knife operation puncture group). Percutaneous A1 pulley release was performed, the soft tissue was dissected layer by layer, and the relevant anatomical data were measured. Results: The injured cases were as follows: group U, 29 (20.7%); group N, 36 (25.7%); and group T, 28 (20.0%). There is no significant difference between different tissue injury types in different intervention methods. The missed release cases were as follows: group U, 8 (5.7%); group N, 4 (2.9%); and group T, 13 (9.3%). The percentage of released A1 pulley were as follows: group U, 71.4% ± 30.7%; group N, 66.0% ± 20.3%; and group T, 61.0% ± 30.4%. The percentage of released A1 pulley of the three groups were compared: group U > group N > group T, and there was statistical difference between the three groups. The full release rates of the three groups were compared: group U(31.4%) > group N(15.7%) > group T(13.6%), and there were significant difference in the full release of A1 pulley between group U and group T, group N. Conclusion: Based on the cadaver specimen, the length and percentage of released A1 pulley is longer by ultrasound-guided percutaneous A1 pulley release using a needle-knife. and there was no statistical difference in the injury rate between the three techniques. Type of Study and Clinical Relevance: Clinical anatomic study. To test the efficacy and safety of ultrasound-guided percutaneous A1 pulley release using a needle knife in cadaveric hands, and provide an anatomically based support in clinic.

The ultrasound-guided percutaneous release technique for De Quervain's disease using an acupotomy.

Background: This study aimed to compare the effectiveness and safety of the percutaneous first extensor compartment performed by acupotomy procedure with or without ultrasonic (US) guidance. Methods: The percutaneous release was performed with an acupotomy on 40 wrists of cadavers, which was divided into US guidance operation and blind operation. Each arm was dissected and assessed regarding the amount of release and the extent of neurovascular and tendon injury. An analysis of finite biomechanical elements based on wrists specimen data is analyzed to observe the stress of the first extensor tendon compartment. A prospective study observed the pain visual analogue score(VAS) and Patient-Rated Wrist Evaluation (PRWEB) changes after the ultrasound guidance or blind acupotomy treatment in 30 dQD patients. Results: The success rate in the ultrasound-guided technique was 85%, and the blind technique was 70% in the cadaver study, both techniques without neurovascular injury. There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in measuring the distance from the incision marks to the blood vessels and nerves (P > 0.05). According to the biomechanical analysis, the tendon friction rubs when the wrist is upright. When the wrist is flexed, the tendon and tendon sheath is stressed in the bone ridges. In this prospective study, both ultrasound guidance and blind acupotomy treatment achieved well improvements in pain and function (P < 0.05), but the results with no statistically significant between groups (P > 0.05). Conclusion: Both blind and US-guided percutaneous release by acupotomy of the first extensor tendon compartment can get a good result. US-guided techniques can improve the success rate during acupotomy operations, especially for beginners and followers.

Ultrasound-guided percutaneous release procedures in the transverse carpal ligament by acupotomy: A cadaveric study.

Objective: This study aimed to determine the safety and accuracy of ultrasound-guided acupotomy percutaneous loosening of the transverse carpal ligament. Methods: The 100 upper limb specimens were equally divided into the ultrasound-guided acupotomy group (U) and the nonultrasound-guided acupotomy group (N). For the U group, we simulated ultrasound-guided acupotomy loosening of the transverse carpal ligament in a human specimen, and for the N group, we performed the loosening of the transverse carpal ligament through the same approach under nonultrasound-guided conditions. The safety and accuracy of the two methods were compared through measurement. Results: In the ultrasound-guided group, the injury rate of nerves, blood vessels and tendons caused by needle-knife release was 0%. In the non-ultrasound-guided group, the rate of nerve, blood vessel and tendon damage was 6 percent, 12 percent and 20 percent, respectively. χ 2 test (Fisher exact test) was performed for the nerve and blood vessel damage rates in the two groups (PN > 0.05, PA < 0.05), the difference in nerve damage rates was not statistically significant, but the difference in blood vessel damage rates was statistically significant. Pearson's χ 2 test was performed on the tendon injury rates of the two groups (PF < 0.05), and the difference was statistically significant. In the ultrasound-guided group, the proportion of acupotomy marks greater than or equal to half of the width of the transverse carpal ligament was 86%, and the non-ultrasound-guided group was 36%. The accuracy of the two surgical methods was tested by Pearson's χ 2 test (PL < 0.05), and the difference was statistically significant. According to the measurement, the ultrasound-guided acupotomy technology had high safety and accuracy. Conclusion: In this study, we designed a new method for cutting the transverse carpal ligament under ultrasound guidance, which is different from surgery. These results indicate that this is a safe and accurate method of interventional treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome.

Acupotomy for patients with tarsal tunnel syndrome: A protocol for systematic review and meta analysis.

BACKGROUND: Tarsal tunnel syndrome (TTS) is a painful condition of the ankle that affects patients' quality of life and ability to work. Multiple clinical studies of nerve decompression by acupotomy have been published in China, and the results are encouraging. However, the efficacy and security of this treatment have not been evaluated scientifically and systematically. The purpose of this systematic review protocol is to evaluate the efficacy and security of acupotomy treatment in patients with TTS, which will be helpful to clinical acupotomy doctors. METHODS: Relevant randomized controlled trials will be identified by searching 9 databases (PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Chinese literature databases, the Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, SinoMed, Technology Journal and the Wanfang Database. Randomized controlled trials examining the use of acupotomy for TTS patients will be identified independently by 2 reviewers by searching the databases from inception to March 2020. Clinical effects will be evaluated as the primary outcome. Visual analog scale scores will be assessed as a secondary outcome. Review Manager 5.3 will be used to perform a fixed effects meta-analysis, and the evidence level will be evaluated by using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation framework. Continuous outcomes will be presented as mean differences or standard mean differences, while dichotomous data will be expressed as relative risks. RESULTS: This study will evaluate the effectiveness and safety of acupotomy in the treatment of TTS in randomized controlled trials with high-quality visual analog scale and Roles and Maudsley score. CONCLUSION: This systematic review will provide evidence to determine whether acupotomy is an effective intervention for patients with TTS. REGISTRATION NUMBER: DOI 10.17605/OSF. IO/9PYC2 (https://osf.io/9pyc2/).

CT-Guided Percutaneous Lumbar Ligamentum Flavum Release by Needle Knife for Treatment of Lumbar Spinal Stenosis: A Case Report and Literature Review.

CASE: The patient was a 62-year-old woman presenting with low-back pain of 3 years' duration and numbness in the right leg. DIAGNOSIS: She was diagnosed with lumbar spinal stenosis based on combined magnetic resonance imaging, physical examination, and symptoms. INTERVENTIONS: Treatment with computed tomography-guided percutaneous release of the ligamentum flavum was delivered. OUTCOMES: Relief of symptoms immediately after treatment and complete resolution of symptoms after 1 month were achieved. At follow-up, there was no recurrence of symptoms after 2, 4, 6, and 12 months. CONCLUSION: Lumbar ligamentum flavum hypertrophy is an important cause of degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis. The hypertrophic ligamentum flavum can directly compress the spinal canal, squeeze the cauda equina, and simultaneously lead to a reduction in the anteroposterior diameter of the intervertebral foramen, which compresses the nerve roots and causes numbness and other symptoms of lower extremities. In clinical practice, doctors should combine imaging findings with patient symptoms for diagnosis and an individualized treatment plan for each patient with lumbar spinal stenosis, and conduct gradual stepwise treatment using conservative minimally invasive surgery to prevent excessive surgery.

[Clinical anatomical study on the treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome with classic Acupotomy].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the safety of classic Acupotomy in the treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome. METHODS: Twenty six adult specimens (15 males and 11 females), aged 60 to 95(82.54±6.94) years old, were selected from 10% formalin antiseptic fixation. There were 52 sides(two of them could not be tested). The study period was from November 2017 to May 2018. The specimens were collected from the body donation center of the school of basic medicine, Peking University. The operation of releasing the transverse carpal ligament on the human body specimen was simulated by the classic acupotomy, and the distance from the four points to the surrounding anatomical structure was measured to calculate the direct injury rate to the nerve and blood vessels, and the shortest distance between the acupotomy and the nerve and blood vessels was defined as ≥2 mm as safety. RESULTS: In the experimental operation, the direct injury rate of nerve and blood vessel was 14% and 12% respectively. There was significant difference in the rate of direct nerve injury between the four injection points (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the rate of direct vascular injury between the four injection points (P>0.05). Among the four points, there was a statistically significant difference in the safety of nerves(P<0.05), and the safety of point 1 and point 3 of radial injection was higher than that of point 2 and point 4 of ulnar injection(P<0.05). There was significant difference in the safety of blood vessels between the four points(P<0.05), and the safety of radial point 1 was higher than that of ulnar point 2 and point 4 (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: The safety of the classic Acupotomy for carpal tunnel syndrome is related to the location of the needle entry point, and the safety of theradial proximal end of the needle is the highest.

Acupotomy for patients with carpal tunnel syndrome: A systematic review protocol.

BACKGROUND: This systematic review program is designed to provide an assessment of the effectiveness and safety of needle-knife therapy for the treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). METHODS: A cumulative search till October 2018 will be conducted in the following 8 databases: PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Controlled Trials Register, MEDLINE, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, China Biomedical Literature Database, VIP Database, and Wanfang Database, with no language or Publication status restrictions. All randomized controlled trials (RCT) for carpal tunnel syndrome will be considered eligible. The primary outcomes will include changes in the Boston carpal tunnel questionnaire (BCTQ) and visual analogue score (VAS), as well as safety and adverse events. Study inclusion, data extraction, and quality assessment will be done independently by 2 reviewers. If no substantial heterogeneity is detected, a meta-analysis will be performed. Continuous results will be expressed as mean differences or standard average differences, while binary data will be expressed as relative risks. The deviation risk and data synthesis will be assessed using the Review Manager software. RESULTS: This study will provide a high-quality synthesis of BCTQ and VAS to assess the effectiveness and safety of acupotomy for carpal tunnel syndrome patients. CONCLUSION: This systematic review will provide evidence to judge whether acupotomy is an effective intervention for patients with carpal tunnel syndrome. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER: CRD42018108787.

Comparison between acupotomy and local steroid injection for the management of de Quervain disease: A systematic review protocol.

BACKGROUND: De Quervain disease (dQD) is a painful condition of the wrist that affects patients' quality of life and work ability. Acupotomy has been widely used in the treatment of dQD. It has been reported in many articles that acupotomy can improve the clinical symptoms of dQD. However, the efficacy has not been evaluated scientifically and systematically. The aim of this systematic review protocol is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of acupotomy treatment compared with local steroid injection in patients with de Quervain disease. METHODS: Relevant randomized controlled trials will be identified by searching 9 databases (PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, Chinese literature databases, the Chinese Biomedical Literature Database [CBM], China National Knowledge Infrastructure [CNKI], SinoMed, Technology Journal [VIP], and the Wanfang Database). Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of Acupotomy for dQD patients will be identified independently by 2 reviewers by searching the databases from inception to October 2018. Clinical effects will be evaluated as the primary outcome. The VAS (visual analog scale) score will be assessed as a secondary outcome. RevMan V.5.3 will be used to perform a fixed effect meta-analysis, and the evidence level will be evaluated by using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) methods. Continuous outcomes will be presented as the mean differences or standard mean differences, while dichotomous data will be expressed as relative risks. RESULTS: This study will evaluate the effectiveness and safety of acupotomy in the treatment of de Quervain disease in RCTs with high-quality VAS and RM. CONCLUSION: This systematic review will provide evidence to judge whether acupotomy is an effective intervention for patients with de Quervain disease. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER: CRD42018108786.

Acupotomy by an ultrasound-guided technique: A protocol for a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Acupotomy is a miniature surgery instrument. It can cut and detach the abnormal, cicatricial, and contractured tissues by causing only microtrauma. Acupotomy has been widely used clinically with a satisfactory efficacy. With the development of ultrasound technology, ultrasound-guided acupotomy has shown great value in clinical practice. But it is not yet clear that ultrasound-guided acupotomy is very effective and safe. Therefore, it is important to re-evaluate the available evidence to reach a relatively convincing conclusion that acupotomy by ultrasound-guided technique is a better choice than traditional acupotomy. The purpose of this systematic review is to provide a method for evaluating the effectiveness and safety of acupotomy by ultrasound-guided technique. METHODS: This systematic review will be performed by searching relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs) without any language or publication status restriction from inception to December 2019 by 2 researchers in nine databases (PubMed, Medline, Embase, Cochrane Library, Chinese literature databases, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database [CBM], China National Knowledge Infrastructure [CNKI], China Science and Journal Database [CSJD], and Wanfang Database). All RCTs evaluating acupotomy by the ultrasound-guided technique will be included in this study. Visual analog scale (VAS) and change of symptom will be assessed as the primary outcomes. The change in the ultrasound image, safety and adverse events, and acceptability will be assessed as secondary outcomes. The selection of study, data collection and analysis, and assessment of the study quality will be completed independently by 2 researchers. RevMan v.5.3 will be used for meta-analysis if no significant heterogeneity is detected. Continuous outcomes will be presented as the mean difference (MD) or standardized MD, while dichotomous data will be expressed as the relative risk. RESULTS: This study will provide a high-quality synthesis of QL and AR to assess the effectiveness and safety of acupotomy by ultrasound-guided technique. CONCLUSION: This systematic review will provide evidence to judge whether acupotomy by ultrasound-guided technique is an effective the efficacy and safety intervention. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER: CRD42018109070.

Acupotomy for patients with trigger finger: A systematic review protocol.

BACKGROUND: Trigger finger is thought to be caused by aseptic inflammation of the A1 pulley and subsequent thickening and narrowing of the fibrous sheath. Acupotomy has been an important treatment for trigger finger. But an updated systematic review about this issue has not yet been released. This systematic review protocol is aimed at providing a higher quality method used to evaluate the efficacy and safety of acupotomy treatment for trigger finger. METHODS: The following databases will be searched from the study inception to July 2019: the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (Cochrane Library), MEDLINE, EMBASE, PubMed, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wan-Fang Data, and Chinese Biomedical Literature Database. All English or Chinese randomized controlled trials related to acupotomy for trigger finger will be included. Two reviewers will independently perform the processes of study inclusion, data extraction, and quality assessment. The primary outcome will be assessed by improvement of the pain symptoms and finger activity. Secondary outcomes will be assessed through Safety assessment. Meta-analysis will be completed by RevMan V.5.3 software. RESULTS: This systematic review will provide an assessment of the current state of acupotomy for trigger finger, aiming to show the efficacy and safety of treatment. CONCLUSION: This systematic review will re-evaluate a higher-quality systematic review to obtain a relatively convincing conclusion that finds acupotomy to be a better choice for trigger finger patients. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER: CRD42018118663.

[Clinical manifestations and imaging analysis of cervicogenic headache].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical characteristics and mechanism of cervicogenic headache. METHODS: Fifty-seven patients with cervicogenic headache who were treated from May 2013 to December 2017 and had complete imaging data were selected, including 18 males and 39 females with an average age of(43.26±10.39) years old ranging from 20 to 63 years old. The duration of the disease was 4 months to 35 years with a mean of (11.74±9.47) years. The pain situation, iconography and Tinel sign were analyzed. RESULTS: The patients with cervicogenic headache often had bilateral pain. The regions mainly concentrated in the temporal region, with occipital, head or orbit pains. The VAS scores decreased with the duration of the disease. There were many cases of disc herniation(91.30%), vertebral instability(73.91%), atlantoaxial displacement(56.52%), curvature change of cervicogenic vertebra(54.35%). The number of positive Tinel sign points was between 3 and 24 (13.58±5.8) per patient. The number and extent of Tinel sign were significantly different between the affected side and healthy side(P<0.05). C2,3 facet joints(92.98%), post mastoid(89.47%), occipital concavity(89.47%), C3,4 facet joints(84.21%), third occipital nerve(80.70%) were the positive Tinel sign points in patients with cervicogenic headache. CONCLUSIONS: The iconography changes of cervicogenic headache and Tinel sign may contribute to the clinical diagnosis and mechanism of the disease.

Vertigo caused by longus colli tendonitis: A case report and literature review.

RATIONALE: Tendinitis of the longus colli muscle is an aseptic inflammatory process leading to acute posterior neck pain, neck stiffness, and dysphagia or odynophagia. We present a patient exhibiting an infrequent symptom, vertigo. This is the first description of the occurrence of vertigo symptoms caused by longus colli tendinitis. PATIENT CONCERNS: A 38-year-old man was diagnosed with vertigo, presenting with a 1-month history of dizziness, palpitations, and numbness in the hands. DIAGNOSIS: Longus colli tendinitis. The diagnosis was established using magnetic resonance imaging fat-suppression sequences. INTERVENTIONS: Treatment with corticosteroid injections and acupotomy. OUTCOMES: The symptoms relieved immediately after the treatment and complete resolution of the symptoms was observed after 1 week. LESSONS: Longus colli tendinitis with vertigo is an under-reported condition in the literature and physicians should be aware of its existence. A lack of familiarity with the anatomy of the prevertebral space and its variable radiographic appearance makes the diagnosis of longus colli tendinitis clinically difficult. Misdiagnosis of this condition may lead to unnecessary interventions in vertigo.

Acupotomy for calcaneodynia: A systematic review protocol.

BACKGROUND: Calcaneodynia customarily induces inferior heel pain, specialists believe that the pain is principally caused by acute or chronic injury due to the plantar fascia from accumulative overload pressure. Acupotomy has been widely used to treat calcaneodynia. But its efficiency has not been scientifically and methodically evaluated. The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the acupotomy treatment in patients with calcaneodynia. METHODS: Relevant randomized controlled trials in 6 databases (PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library, Chinese literature databases, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database [CBM], China National Knowledge Infrastructure [CNKI], and Wanfang Database). The randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of the acupotomy for calcaneodynia patients will be searched in the databases from inception to December 2017 by 2 researchers. Visual analog scale (VAS) will be assessed as the primary outcomes. Roles and Maudsley Score (RM) will be assessed as the secondary outcome. The RevMan V.5.3 will be used for meta-analysis. Continuous outcomes will be presented as the mean difference or standard mean difference, while dichotomous data will be expressed as relative risk. RESULTS: This study will provide a high-quality synthesis of VAS and RM to assess the effectiveness and safety of acupotomy for calcaneodynia patients. CONCLUSION: This systematic review will provide evidence to judge whether acupotomy is an effective intervention for patients with Calcaneodynia.