Effectiveness of Korean Medicine Treatment for Knee Joint Pain with Plica Syndrome after Traffic Accident: Case Report

Abstract

This study aims to evaluate the effect of various Korean medicine treatment techniques on knee pain with medial plica syndrome. We treated three knee pain patients with medial plica syndrome using acupuncture, herbal medicine, pharmacopuncture and cupping during their hospitalization. EuroQol-five dimensions (EQ-5D), Western Ontario and Mcmaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), numerical rating scale (NRS) and the changes of symptoms were used for patient assessment. There were notable decreases in WOMAC and NRS and a notable increase in EQ-5D of case 1 and 3. There was also an improvement in the symptoms experienced by the patients. Our study is the first case report to demonstrate the applicability and effectiveness of Korean medicine treatment compared to those of the pre-existing surgical and conservative treatments for knee pain patients with medial plica syndrome. (J