Use of Kinesio® taping and manual lymphatic drainage to manage traumatic edema and ecchymosis post arthroscopic meniscectomy in a recreational weightlifter: A case report.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have reported success of edema management with manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) or Kinesio® taping. However, there is limited evidence investigating the use of a combination of the two postoperatively and evidence is conflicting due to limitations of published trials. The purpose of this case report was to describe the utilization of MLD and Kinesio® taping in the physical therapy (PT) management of edema and ecchymosis post-arthroscopic meniscectomy. CASE DESCRIPTION: A 51 year-old male was referred to PT 10 days after meniscectomy. He presented with increased edema that was not atypical secondary to a suspected saphenous vein injury. Severe edema and ecchymosis began 24 hours after surgery, which led to pain and decreases in range of motion (ROM) and difficulty with gait. Interventions for edema management consisted of MLD, Kinesio® taping and therapeutic exercise. OUTCOMES: The patient was seen for five visits over 10 days for edema management that resulted in decreases in girth and pain and increases in ROM and the Lower Extremity Functional Scale, and Patient Specific Functional Scale. He was able to sleep, return to the gym, and squat without pain. DISCUSSION: Following MLD and Kinesio® taping in conjunction with therapeutic exercises, edema and ecchymosis were reduced allowing for improved function acutely. Early and aggressive edema management postoperatively should be considered to optimize patient outcomes. This case demonstrated early management of edema facilitated increases in ROM and ease of patient-specific activities and decreased pain in five visits.

Lesiones cutáneas por aplicación de ventosas con fines terapéuticos / Skin lesions from the application of suction cups for therapeutic purposes

La aplicación de ventosas o cupping es una práctica medicinal muy extendida en los países orientales. La presencia de áreas circulares de eritema, equimosis o ampollas de contenido hemático distribuidas de manera simétrica en hombros, espalda, tórax o área lumbar deben sugerir la utilización de esta técnica. Los seguidores de la medicina tradicional china están aumentando en el mundo occidental, por lo que debemos conocer estas prácticas para prevenir conflictos sociales y/o legales que pueden provenir de diagnósticos erróneos de malos tratos. Presentamos el caso de un varón de 65 años con múltiples lesiones circulares, eritematosas y ampollosas, de distribución simétrica, producidas tras la aplicación de ventosas en el contexto de una polimialgia reumática

The application of suction cups or cupping is a medicinal practice that is very widespread in Asian countries. The presence of circular areas of erythema, ecchymosis or blood blisters symmetrically distributed on the shoulders, back, thorax or lumbar area should suggest the use of this technique. The number of followers of traditional Chinese medicine is increasing in the Western world, so we should be familiar with these practices in order to prevent social and/or legal conflicts that may arise from mistaken diagnoses of abuse. We present the case of a 65-year-old male with multiple circular, erythematous, bullous lesions, symmetrically distributed, which occurred after the application of suction cups in the context of polymyalgia rheumatica