Electroacupuncture after knee realignment surgery may accelerate bone and soft-tissue healing while reducing pain and improving knee function.
Patients with knee osteoarthritis undergoing open-wedge high tibial osteotomy were randomly assigned to standard postoperative care alone or standard care plus daily electroacupuncture beginning several days after surgery. Treatment targeted multiple points around the thigh, knee, lower leg, and ankle over a defined treatment course. Researchers assessed bone healing on X-rays, wound and swelling recovery, pain, osteoarthritis symptoms, and knee function at follow-up visits.
Compared with standard care alone, electroacupuncture was associated with better X-ray evidence of bone healing, faster incision and swelling recovery, less knee pain, and improved knee function. These findings suggest that electroacupuncture may support recovery of both the surgical bone site and surrounding soft tissues after knee realignment surgery.
