EFFECT OF ACUPUNCTURE ON POST-OPERATIVE FUNCTIONAL RECOV-ERY IN PATIENTS WITH LUMBAR INTERVERTEBRAL DISC PROTRUSION

Objective To observe the influence of acupuncture on the post-operative rehabilitation in pa- tients undergoing vertebral pulp extraction due to lumbar intervertebral disc protrusion(LIDP)so as to evalu- ate its efficacy in the treatment of lumbago induced by LIDP.Methods A total of 69 patients undergoing ver- tebral pulp extraction were randomized into acupuncture group(n=35)and control group(n=34).Patients of acupuncture group were treated with routine rehabilitation method and electroacupuncture (EA)stimulation on Zhibiān(秩边BL54)and Wěizhōng(委中BL40),acupuncture on Shenshū(肾俞BL23),Dachangshū(大肠俞BL25),BL54,BL40,Jiajǐ(夹脊EX-B 2),Shagliao(上髎 BL31),etc.,and cupping on BL40,with 15 days being a therapeutic course and for average 7.36 courses.Patients of control group were treated with simple rehabilitation method.Functional recovery state was judged before and after surgery by using the standards of Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA).Results The average recovery rates of 3 months,6 months and one year after surgery were 49.93 %,90.31% and 95.08 % separately in acupuncture group,and 26.24% ,63.42% and 71.36% successively in control group.The recovery rates of acupuncture group were significantly higher than those of control group at the same time-points(P0.05).Conclusion Acupuncture has a definite effect on promoting post-operative functional recovery in LIDP patients undergoing vertebral pulp extraction and spinal fusion.