Ankle pain during walking 3 months post-surgery improved through muscle balance adjustment.
symptom
The patient presented with left ankle pain as the chief complaint. Three months prior, the patient had fallen after stepping on a plastic bag, resulting in ankle hyperextension and emergency transport. Four days after the injury, the patient underwent surgery and was hospitalized for three months, continuing rehabilitation thereafter. Upon arrival at the clinic, the patient experienced pain during walking, particularly during push-off, directly below the lateral malleolus and on the front of the ankle, and felt constant pain when weight was applied. Despite rehabilitation after discharge, walking pain persisted.
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Visitors
Male
60's
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Period
February 2020 - March 2020
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frequency
2 ~ 3 weeks
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Number of hospital visits
6 times
Treatment and progress
At the initial consultation, pain in the left ankle during walking was observed. Treatment included moxibustion near the fibular head, acupuncture on tension points on the posterior thigh, and acupuncture on points on the tibialis anterior muscle. Acupuncture on the lumbar region was also used. The pain during walking decreased after the first treatment, and the same treatment approach was continued for subsequent sessions a few days later. The symptoms showed an improving trend with each treatment, and after a total of six treatments, the patient recovered to the point where walking was no longer impaired, so treatment was discontinued.
Acupressure points used
Summary
For pain following ankle surgery, we prioritized an approach that focused on adjusting the overall muscle balance, including the area around the fibular head, posterior thigh, tibialis anterior muscle, and lumbar region. As a result, significant improvement in walking pain was achieved after six treatment sessions, without the need for direct treatment of the affected area, thanks to the improvement in muscle balance. This case suggests that prioritizing muscle balance can lead to effective improvement in postoperative pain. Furthermore, it indicates that combining this approach with postoperative rehabilitation can lead to even more effective recovery.
