Clinical Study on Ruanshang Waixi Prescription Combined with Physical Therapy in Treating Knee Joint Stiffness After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction
Abstract: Objective: To observe the clinical effects of Ruanshang Waixi Prescription combined with physical therapy in treating knee joint stiffness after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. Methods:A total of 155 patients with knee joint stiffness after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction admitted to Luoyang Orthopedic-Traumatological Hospital of Henan Province/Henan Provincial Orthopedic Hospital from June 2022 to December 2024 were enrolled and divided into the control group and the study group by the random number table method. The control group contained 77 cases with 3 cases lost to follow-up,and finally 74 cases were included;the study group contained 78 cases with 2 cases lost to follow-up, and finally 76 cases were included. The control group was treated with simple physical therapy,and the study group was given external application of Ruanshang Waixi Prescription on the basis of the control group. Both groups received treatment for 8 weeks. The clinical effects were evaluated, knee range of motion, knee joint function and pain level were compared, and drug-related adverse reactions were observed. Results: The total effective rate was 92.11% (70/76) in the study group,higher than that of 77.03% (57/74) in the control group (P< 0.05). After treatment,the ranges of external rotation,internal rotation,and flexion and extension of knee joint in both groups were increased when compared with those before treatment (P<0.05), and the above indicators in the study group were superior to those in the control group (P<0.05). At 1, 2, 4, and 8 weeks after treatment, Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) scores in both groups were decreased gradually (P<0.05),and the scores in the study group were lower than those in the control group at the same time points (P<0.05). Lysholm score, Tegner score, and International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) subjective knee evaluation scores in both groups were increased gradually at each time point (P<0.05);the above scores in the study group were higher than those in the control group at 2, 4, and 8 weeks after treatment (P<0.05). No drug-related adverse reactions such as skin allergy occurred in either group. Conclusion:Ruanshang Waixi Prescription combined with physical therapy has a certain curative effect on patients with knee joint stiffness after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. It can improve knee range of motion, relieve pain,and enhance knee joint function with high safety.