Right Knee Swelling and Pain During Walking After a Fall
Doctor's diagnosis: Suspected osteoarthritis of the knee
symptom
A woman in her 50s experienced worsening right knee pain and difficulty walking during a mountain hike one week after falling on a snowy mountain two months prior. She visited an orthopedic clinic and was diagnosed with suspected osteoarthritis of the knee. She presented with swelling and pain in her right knee, which intensified particularly when standing on one leg or assuming a bow-legged posture. The pain also occurred during walking, interfering with her daily activities.
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Visitors
Female
60's
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Period
February 2026 - March 2026
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Visit Frequency per week
1
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Number of Visits
3
Treatment and progress
At the initial examination, significant swelling and pain in the right knee were observed, with pain provoked by standing on one leg. Acupuncture was performed at points on the lower back and gluteal regions. After the first treatment, the pain was reduced. The second treatment followed the same approach, targeting the lower back and gluteal points, resulting in substantial improvement. Subsequently, pain during hip flexion and abduction became the primary complaint. However, after the third treatment, she was able to hike for over eight hours without knee pain. Although muscle cramping in the leg was noted, the knee symptoms improved markedly, and treatment was completed after a total of three sessions. During the treatment period, there was no recurrence of symptoms, though the location of pain shifted.
Acupressure points used
Summary
For right knee pain associated with suspected osteoarthritis that worsened after a fall on a snowy mountain, acupuncture was performed at points on the lower back and gluteal regions. It was considered that the knee joint pain involved not only local factors but also muscle tension in the lower back and gluteal areas, leading to the selection of these treatment sites. After three treatments, the pain improved significantly, enabling long-duration mountain hiking activities. The shifting location of pain with successive treatments suggests that the body's overall balance was gradually adjusted. This case demonstrates the effectiveness of treating distal sites for knee joint symptoms.
