Introduction: Contractures frequently occur in the finger joints after immobilization. This report describes the effect of acupotomy treatment in patients with joint contracture due to immobilization of the finger joints. Patient concerns and clinical findings: Case 1 was of a 39-year-old male patient who had flexion limitation of the left thumb and difficulty in grasping. Case 2 was of a 41-year-old female patient who had flexion limitation of the right index finger and difficulty in typing. Stiffness occurred after tendon repair surgery and cast immobilization in both cases. In Case 1, the patient had limited flexion movement of the first metacarpophalangeal and interphalangeal joints after 5 weeks of immobilization of the left thumb in a cast. In Case 2, the patient had limited flexion movement after 3 weeks of immobilization of the second proximal interphalangeal joint of the left hand in a cast. Diagnosis, interventions, and outcomes: We diagnosed both patients with finger joint contracture due to immobilization. Conservative treatment for approximately 4 weeks did not lead to improvement in either patient. Acupotomy is the key treatment for improving movement in Korean Medicine. Therefore, acupotomy was performed, and joint stiffness markedly improved without adverse events. Both patients reported that the daily use of the damaged fingers became comfortable. Conclusion: We found that acupotomy may be effective for finger joint contracture due to improper immobilization. We suggest it as a simple and safe treatment for joint contracture.
Objectives: This study is a practice based research conducted to investigate the effectiveness and safety of a 5-day short-term diet program ('Oil-rescue' program) designed to reduce the adverse events and initial dropout rate in obesity treatment. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 4 Korean medicine clinic patient data who completed 'Oil-rescue' program which is consisting of Gambi-hwan, Bium-hwan, Butgiban-hwan and Jayoon Kyungokgo. The weight change before and after participating 'Oil-rescue' program was primary outcome of our study. Changes in body mass index, body fat mass, skeletal muscle mass, body water content, lean body mass, protein, and minerals were also measured. Results: A total of 35 patients who satisfied the eligible criteria were finally included. The body weight decreased from 69.45±11.86 kg to 67.43±11.58 kg, a total of 2.02±1.03 kg (P<0.001). Body fat mass decreased from 25.77±7.45 kg to 24.98±7.26 kg, a total of 0.78±1.21 kg (P<0.001). Body mass index decreased from 26.39±3.64 kg/m 2 to 25.64±3.49 kg/m 2 , a total of 0.75±0.41 kg/m 2 . (P<0.001). A total of 15 patients had side effects such as diarrhea, abdominal pain, and insomnia, but all were mild. 16 out of 35 people switched to long-term obesity treatment programs. Conclusions: Through this retrospective practice based research, it was found that the 'Oil-rescue' program effectively reduced body weight, body fat, and body mass index, and the other obesity related parameters. It was a relatively safe and effective short-term obesity treatment program.
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