Abstract:
Objective To explore the effects of musculoskeletal ultrasound-guided acupotomy via tendon release on pain, lower limb function, anxiety, postoperative complications, and recovery in patients with iliotibial band syndrome, and to analyze the therapeutic effectiveness. Methods A total of 90 patients with iliotibial band syndrome, treated at the Orthopedics and Traumatology Department of Jiaxing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine from January 2022 to May 2023, were randomly divided into the ultrasound group, the release operation group, and the control group, with 30 cases in each group. The ultrasound group was treated with musculoskeletal ultrasound-guided needle-knife transtendon release, while the release operation group was treated with unoriented and unguided needle-knife transtendon release. The control group was treated with local pain point blocking. The clinical efficacy of the three groups was observed, and the effects on visual analogue scale (VAS), lower extremity functional scale (LEFS), and self-rating anxiety scale (SAS) scores were statistically analyzed. Complications and recurrence of surgery were compared among there groups. Results The total effective rate of the ultrasound group, the release group, and the control group was 96.67%, 83.33%, and 66.67%, respectively, with statistically significant differences (χ2=9.274, P=0.010). The total effective rate of the ultrasound group was higher than that of the control group (P < 0.05). After 2, 4, and 6 weeks of treatment, VAS and SAS scores in all 3 groups were decreased compared with the baseline, the ultrasound group showing the lowest scores, followed by the release group, and the control group (P < 0.05). After 2, 4, and 6 weeks of treatment, LEFS scores increased over the same time points, with the ultrasound group showing the highest improvement, followed by the release group, and the control group (P < 0.05). No complications were found in 3 groups. The recurrence rates of the ultrasound group, the release group, and the control group were 6.67%, 26.67%, and 36.67%, respectively, with statistically significant differences between groups (χ2=7.826, P=0.020). The recurrence rate of the ultrasound group was lower than that of the control group (P < 0.05). Conclusion Musculoskeletal ultrasound-guided acupotomy via tendon release demonstrates excellent efficacy in the treatment of patients with iliotibial band syndrome, helping to relieve pain, improve lower limb function, and alleviate anxiety, with a high safety profile.