Study On Ultrasonic Imaging Changes Of Trigger Point Nodule Of Quadriceps Muscle After Acupuncture

PURPOSE: In this study, ultrasound imaging was used to explore the imaging changes of trigger point nodule after acupuncture, and to explore whether the morphological changes in this ultrasonic imaging were related to the curative effect, so as to further confirm the scientific nature of the trigger point nodule theory with this objective means. METHODS: 52 patients with quadriceps femoris myofascial pain syndromes were randomly divided into two groups: experimental group(EG)and control group(CG), with 26 patients in each group. In the EG, ultrasound-guided acupuncture was performed on the trigger point of the quadriceps muscle nodule once a week for 6 times. CG also in ultrasound guided sham placebo acupuncture, the trigger area uses the blunt needle only touches the surface of the skin, similar to the EG, and performs insertion actions, but did not pierce the skin into the subcutaneous tissue, once a week, intervention 6 times. NPRS, Lysholm, thickness, hardness of trigger nodule were collect. RESULTS: After 3 weeks(EG = 3.12 ± 1.39;CG = 4.47 ± 1.05), 6 weeks(EG = 2 ± 1.38;CG = 4.12 ± 1.31), and 3 months(EG = 1.6 ± 1.26;CG = 4.40 ± 1.22)of treatment, the NPRS scores of the EG were significantly lower than those of the CG (P < 0.01). The score of Lysholm, the EG was higher than CG group after 3 weeks(EG = 81.28 ± 3.85;CG = 73.5 ± 4.87), 6 weeks(EG = 85.48 ± 4.1;CG = 74.44 ± 6.29), and 3 months(EG = 91.44 ± 3.68;CG = 73.36 ± 7.94)of treatment(P < 0.01). In EG, after treatment for 3 weeks, 6 weeks and 3 months, the NPRS scores and Lysholm scores were significantly lower than before the treatment(P < 0.05). The thickness and hardness of trigger nodule in the EG was smaller than that in the CG after 3 weeks (Thickness: EG = 6.74 ± 1.8, CG = 7.99 ± 1.9; Hardness:EG = 20.41 ± 8.74, CG = 32.02 ± 8.7 ) and 6 weeks (Thickness: EG = 6.23 ± 1.98, CG = 7.49 ± 2.18; Hardness kPa:EG = 18.32 ± 8.73, CG = 30 ± 8.65) of treatment(P < 0.05). And the thickness, hardness of trigger nodule at 3 weeks and 6 weeks after treatment in the EP was lower than before treatment(P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Compared to sham acupuncture therapy, needling the trigger point of the quadriceps femoris muscle fascia can improve knee joint pain and Lysholm in subjects and reduce the thickness and hardness of the trigger point nodules. This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China [grant numbers. 32000829]; the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities [grant number. 22120230280].