[Effective anatomic structures of ultrasound-guide acupoint embedding therapy for cervical spondylosis]

To explore the relationship between the therapeutic effect of minimally invasive embedding therapy and the implanted depth for cervical spondylosis.

Ninety patients of cervical spondylosis of nerve root type were randomized into a shallow-layer embedding group (subcutaneous layer), a middle-layer embedding group (semispinalis capitis muscle layer) and a deep-layer embedding group (multifidus muscle layer), 30 cases in each one. Jiaji (EX-B 2) of C5 and C6 on the affected side and Dazhui (GV 14) were selected. Under the guide of ultrasound, the catgut was implanted to the corresponding tissue layers. The treatment was given once a week, continuously for 3 weeks in the three groups. The symptoms and physical signs were observed before and after treatment. The pain rating index (PRI), visual analogue scale (VAS) and present pain index (PPI) were assessed. The neck disability index (NDI) was compared.

The score of symptoms and function after treatment was increased apparently in the deep-layer embedding group (P < 0.05), which was increased more apparently as compared with those in the shallow-layer embedding group and the middle-layer embedding group (both P < 0.05). PRI, VAS and PPI after treatment were all reduced apparently as compared with those before treatment in the deep-layer embedding group and the middle-layer embedding group (all P < 0.05), which were reduced more remarkably than the shallow-layer embedding group (all P < 0.05). After treatment, the scores of NDI in the deep-layer embedding group and the middle-layer embedding group, were reduced apparently as compared with those before treatment (both P < 0.05), and that in the deep-layer embedding group was reduced more remarkably as compared with the shallow-layer embedding group and the middle-layer embedding group after treatment (both P < 0.05).

In the acupoint embedding treatment of cervical spondylosis of nerve root type, the efficacy is different apparently in terms of the implantation depth. The deep-layer implantation, meaning to the multifidus muscle layer is more conductive to the treatment of cervical spondylosis.