Acupuncture combined with multidisciplinary care for recovery after traumatic multiple rib fractures: a prospective feasibility cohort study.

INTRODUCTION: Acute pain significantly delays early physiological recovery and results in chronic functional disability in patients with traumatic multiple rib fractures (MRFs). This prospective cohort study aimed to investigate the feasibility of acupuncture combined with multidisciplinary care during recovery in patients with traumatic MRFs. METHODS: Twenty patients with traumatic MRFs who were admitted to a regional trauma centre in South Korea were enrolled. A combination of acupuncture and multidisciplinary inpatient ward management was provided at the trauma ward. Patients were permitted to continue acupuncture treatments at outpatient clinics for 3 months after the traumatic events. Clinical outcomes, including pain, acute physiological recovery, quality of life, patient satisfaction with the care provided, respiratory function and use of opioids, were evaluated up to 6 months after trauma. RESULTS: Seventeen (85%) participants completed the 6-month follow-up. One patient withdrew consent during admission due to discomfort after three sessions of acupuncture. The proportion of patients with above-moderate level of pain decreased from 95% at baseline to 41% at 6 months. Quality of life appeared to deteriorate consistently throughout the study period. Around 80% of respondents expressed satisfaction with the acupuncture treatments and stated that they found acupuncture to be acceptable. Over 94% of respondents reported slight or considerable improvement. CONCLUSION: The provision of acupuncture combined with multidisciplinary care for recovery in patients with traumatic MRFs was feasible in a regional trauma centre in South Korea. Randomised trials are needed to investigate the role of acupuncture combined with multidisciplinary care in the future. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: KCT0002911 (Clinical Research Information Service).

[Pseudoarthrosis of the first rib in a patient who practices yoga. A case report]. / Seudoartrosis de la primera costilla en una practicante de yoga. Presentación de un caso.

INTRODUCTION: Pseudoarthrosis of the first rib is a rare condition that may occur in athletes as a result of repetitive activities, mainly overhead. The usual clinical presentation is pain in the neck or the ipsilateral shoulder. CASE REPORT: This is the case of a 19-year-old female patient who had sudden pain of the base of the neck while doing yoga. Pseudoarthrosis of the first rib was diagnosed with X-rays and CAT scan. Treatment consisted of a rehabilitation and physical therapy program that was successful despite the persistence of the pseudoarthrosis. DISCUSSION: Cases of first rib fractures have been reported in athletes practicing multiple activities; however, pseudoarthrosis cases are rare since most of them progress to bone healing. This is the first reported case of a fracture or pseudoarthrosis in a patient practicing yoga. As in most reported cases, conservative treatment was successful. CONCLUSION: Fractures and pseudoarthrosis of the first rib are rare in athletes and should be included in the differential diagnosis of athletes presenting with shoulder and neck pain. Conservative treatment is successful in most cases.

Acupuncture for central pain affecting the ribcage following traumatic brain injury and rib fractures--a case report.

This case report describes the use of acupuncture in the management of chronic central pain in a 51 year old man following severe traumatic brain injury and multiple injuries including rib fractures. The patient reported rapid and significant improvements in pain and mood during a course of acupuncture treatment. Chronic pain following traumatic brain injury is a significant problem. Chronic pain after rib fractures is also commonly reported. Acupuncture is widely used in the management of pain but its use has been reported rarely in the traumatic brain injury literature. This case report suggests that acupuncture may be a useful option to consider in these patients. Outcome was assessed formally using a 0-10 verbal numerical rating scale for pain, and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) for psychological status before and after the course of treatment. These scales are widely used in clinical practice as well as in research involving patients with traumatic brain injury, although they have not been validated in this population. The changes in this patient's outcome scores were not consistent with the benefits he reported. Treatment of this patient highlighted the difficulties of using standardised self rating scales for patients with cognitive impairment. The report also discusses the effects of acupuncture on this patient's mood.