Abstract: Objective To explore the effect of trigger point acupuncture combined with ultrasound-guided nerve root block in the treatment of cervical spondylotic radiculopathy (CSR). Methods A total of 60 CRS patients who were admitted to the Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University from October 2020 to April 2021 were enrolled. According to the random number table method, they were divided into two groups (n=30): a trigger point acupuncture+nerve block group (test group) and a nerve block group (control group). Both groups received ultrasound‑guided cervical nerve root block, where the test group underwent trigger point acupuncture in addition to nerve block which was used in the control group. Both groups were compared for Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) scores, neck disability index (NDI) and cervical range of motion (CROM) before treatment and at post‑treatment 1, 2 and 3 months. Their use of rescue analgesics and the occurrence of adverse reactions were compared between the two groups. Results Both groups showed decreases in VAS scores, NDI and CROM at post‑treatment 1, 2 and 3 months, compared with those before treatment (P<0.05). There was no statistical difference in VAS scores and NDI between the two groups at post‑treatment 1 month (P>0.05), while CROM in the test group was significantly lower than that in the control group (P<0.05). The test group showed significantly lower VAS scores, NDI and CROM than the control group at post‑treatment 2 and 3 months (P<0.05). There was no statistical difference in the use of rescue analgesics between the two groups (P>0.05). There were no adverse reactions such as dizziness, nausea, vomiting, local anesthetic poisoning, infection, nerve injury and pneumothorax in the two groups. Conclusions Trigger point acupuncture combined with ultrasound‑guided nerve root block has definite clinical effect in the treatment of CSR, which is superior to nerve root block alone.
|