The Analgesic of External Fixation for Tibial Fractures While a Wire Inserted Through Acupoint 36

Introduction: The application of external fixation devices consists of wire insertion through skin and soft tissue to the bone. We examined the possible analgesic effect of stimulating an acupoint by the fixation wires which mimics the acupunctures treatment.

Material and Method: retrospective work. Between 2015 to 2018, 107 patients were treated with an Ilizarov external fixation for a tibial fracture. 33 patient files were found to be eligible for the review. Patients were retrospectively divided into two groups: the study group included patients with a wire inserted through the ST36 (Zu San li) acupoint location, the control group had the wire inserted elsewhere. Patients record was reviewed for 5 days following surgery. Data collected included analgesic consumption and pain level recorded on a visual analog scale (VAS).

Results: 33 patients were included in the review. 20 patients in the study group and 13 served as control group. In the study group VAS average was Mean (M)=1.4853 ± 1.30 while in the control group M=2.3885± 1.77 with no statistical relevance (P>0.05). Only on day 4 the study group had less pain than the control: M=0.40 ± 0.843, versus M=2.57 ± 2.149 (Mann=Whitney Z= -2.413 , P<0.05). No statistical difference was found between groups in relation to analgesic consumption.

Conclusions: In patients suffering from a tibial fracture treated with an Ilizarov external fixation device, locating a wire in the anatomical location of acupoint ST 36 had no effect on analgesic consumption and a minimal effect on patients pain levels.