[Randomized control clinical study on third lumbar transverse process syndrome treated by knife needle].
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the therapeutic effects of knife needle on third lumbar transverse process syndrome.


METHODS
From 2007.3 to 2007.12, patients were divided into treatment group and control group according to the random digits table, 34 and 35 patients respectively. Patients in both groups were separately treated for 3 weeks, with knife needle in treatment group and electroacupuncture in control group. In treatment group, 12 patients were male and 22 patients were female, the average age was (42.33 +/- 7.86) years. In control group, 16 patients were male and 19 patients were female, the average age was (44.73 +/- 10.34) years. The changes of biomechanics, local tension and tenderness index were observed and recorded respectively before and after the therapy, and the results obtained from two groups were then compared with each other. The JOA score was used to evaluate the clinical effect.


RESULTS
Sixty patients finished the clinical observation. The treatment efficacy was evaluated according to the JOA score in 60 cases. The soft tissue tension in treatment group was lower than that in the control group (P=0.00004). Excellent result was found in 18 cases, good in 9 cases, fair in 3 cases and poor in 0 case.


CONCLUSIONS
Tension relaxation by needle knife can effectively improve the clinical symptoms and signs of third lumbar transverse process syndrome.
Wang
Yong-zhi
YZ
Institute of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100700, China.
Dong
Fu-hui
FH
Zhong
Hong-gang
HG
Wang
De-long
DL
Wang-Xuan
D015670:Acupuncture Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D000328:Adult; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D015671:Electroacupuncture; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae; D008297:Male; D008516:Medicine, Chinese Traditional; D008875:Middle Aged; D013122:Spinal Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D013577:Syndrome; D055815:Young Adult