Electroacupuncture following deep needle insertion at BL39 and BL40 improves acute anterior cruciate ligament injury: a case report.

Abstract

Typically, due to inaccurate posture and force, the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) often tears in acute knee injuries. Clinically, bone marrow edema (BME) and popliteus injuries often appear in patients with ACL tears but tend to be masked by symptoms of ACL injury. To diagnose BME or injuries of the ACL or popliteus, the most commonly recommended examination is magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).1–3 Reconstructive repair and physical rehabilitation are mainstream treatments. However, patients with combined ACL and popliteus injuries are at increased risk of reconstruction failure.3 Treatments aim to shorten the clinical course and relieve pain.2 However, no targeted medications are currently available for patients with coexisting traumatic BME. Recently, acupuncture has shown to be effective in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis, while there are few reports of acupuncture for acute ACL tears. Here, we report a case of a patient with an acute partial tear of the ACL combined with BME and damage to popliteus who improved after treatment with acupuncture.