Opposing and Operated Side Electroacupuncture Generates Similar Analgesic Effects on Pain after Knee Surgery

Area of Science:

• Pain Management
• Surgical Recovery
• Neuroscience

Background:

• Post-surgical pain is a significant concern following knee surgery.
• Electroacupuncture (EA) is a potential therapeutic modality for pain relief.
• Investigating alternative EA stimulation sites is crucial for optimizing treatment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the analgesic efficacy of opposing electroacupuncture (EA) versus operated-side EA after knee surgery in rats.
• To determine if EA applied to the non-operated side can yield similar pain relief as EA on the operated side.

Main Methods:

• Sprague Dawley rats underwent knee surgery and were divided into sham surgery, model (no intervention), operated side EA, and opposing EA groups.
• Pain behaviors were assessed using mechanical withdrawal threshold (MWT), cumulative pain score (CPS), and mechanical hypersensitivity.
• EA interventions were applied for three consecutive days post-surgery.

Main Results:

• Both operated side EA and opposing EA groups showed significantly higher MWT and lower CPS compared to the model group on days 1 and 2 post-surgery.
• On day 3, MWT was highest and CPS was lowest in both EA groups, with increased non-vocalizations.
• Opposing EA demonstrated a greater increase in MWT on the non-operated side compared to the operated side EA group.

Conclusions:

• Both opposing and operated side electroacupuncture are effective in alleviating post-knee surgery pain in rats.
• Opposing EA may offer additional benefits by potentially improving pain relief on the non-operated limb.
• EA represents a viable non-pharmacological approach for managing post-surgical knee pain.