Ear acupressure during knee operations leads to early rehabilitation

Applying ear acupoint acupressure during knee replacement operations seems to reduce pain, decrease opioid consumption and promote early rehabilitation, experts outline in Pain Medication.

A total of 90 people with osteoarthritis who were having total knee replacement operations were included in the study. Half had ear acupressure at genuine points but the others had ear acupressure at non-acupuncture points.

Key findings

• People who had genuine ear acupressure had lower doses of pain relief after surgery;
• The incidence of adverse effects related to painkillers was lower in the genuine ear acupressure group than the control group;
• Scores regarding rehabilitation were better for the treatment group two weeks after the operation but were similar for both groups three months after the operation;
• There was no difference between groups in range of motion.

“Applying auricular acupoint acupressure in the perioperative period of [total knee replacements] is favorable for alleviating postoperative pain, decreasing opioid consumption and its adverse effects, and promoting early rehabilitation,” the experts explain. “Also, this intervention has the advantage of lower costs, fewer complications, simple application, and high safety.”

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