MUSCULOSKELETAL HIGH-RESOLUTION ULTRASONOGRAPHY IN ACUPUNCTURE PRACTICE

Introduction: High-resolution ultrasonography(HRUSG) is a versatile imaging modality that allows real-time imaging of joint structures and may be used to complement clinical examination in musculoskeletal diseases and is more sensitive than clinical examination.Three decades of acupuncture practice has taught me to improve my simple acupuncture practice to evidence-based medical acupuncture which led me into investigating pre- and post-acupuncture treatment HRUSG in knee and shoulder pains.Objective: To study the effect of acupuncture in musculoskeletal disorders by HRUSG and to generate preliminary clinical evidence to support acupuncture in musculoskeletal disorders.Instilling an optimistic attitude amongst medical professionals and public was also intended.Methods: The study comprised of 60 patients of either gender presenting with knee and shoulder pain who were clinically examined and for whom HRUSG of the affected region was performed followed by acupuncture therapy supported by therapeutic exercises.Results: Amongst the knee cases, 36(72%) patients reported with good response(75%-100% pain relief).Satisfactory response(50% pain relief but less than 75%) was seen in 10(20%) patients.Three(06%) patients demonstrated poor response(overall less than 50% pain relief).No improvement, i.e., failure was observed in one(2%) patient.Post-treatment HRUSG analysis(knee): 36(72%) cases showed significant improvement, 10(20%) showed no significant improvement and in 4(8%) cases showed worsen picture.Correlation(knee): good clinical correlation was found in 34(68%) cases, poor correlation was found in 10(20%) casesand no clinical correlation in 6(12%) cases.Conclusion: Acupuncture is just not a pain modulator, but also enforced changes in HRUSG studies which were clinically correlated in the most.HRUSG studies in musculoskeletal disorders may be encouraged by acupuncturist to boost their own confidence and get increased faith by the patient.