The Safety of Korean Medicine on Patients after Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Retrospective Chart Review

Objectives This study aimed to evaluate the safety of Korean medicine treatments, including herbal medicine, for patients undergoing rehabilitation after total knee arthroplasty through a retrospective analysis of adverse events and blood test results.Methods Medical records of 22 patients who received Korean medicine treatments after total knee arthroplasty at a Koreanmedicine hospital between July 2017 and April 2022 were retrospectively reviewed.Adverse events were assessed using Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events and World Health Organization-Uppsala Monitoring Centre causality assessment system.Blood test results before and after herbal medicine administration were compared using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test.Results Among 41 adverse events reported during 623 days of hospitalization, 40 were mild or moderate.4 adverse events were assessed as possibly related to Korean medicine treatments, all of which improved with appropriate management of Korean medicine.Blood tests showed no drug-induced liver injury or kidney damage caused by Korean medicine treatments, including herbal medicine.There were no significant internal medical adverse reactions observed in the blood tests.Conclusions Korean medicine treatments, including herbal medicine, appear to be relatively safe for rehabilitation after total knee arthroplasty when administered under proper medical supervision. (