[Case of osteitis condensans ilii]

Area of Science:

• Orthopedics
• Pain Management
• Traditional Chinese Medicine

Background:

• Osteitis condensans ilii (OCI) is a rare, benign bone condition affecting the ilium.
• It typically presents with pelvic girdle pain, impacting quality of life.
• Current treatment options for OCI are limited, with a need for alternative therapies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report a case of osteitis condensans ilii treated with acupuncture.
• To evaluate the efficacy of acupuncture in managing OCI-related pain.
• To explore the application of specific acupuncture points based on traditional principles.

Main Methods:

• Acupuncture treatment was administered to a young to middle-aged female patient diagnosed with OCI.
• Bilateral Chengshan (BL57) and Ximen (PC4) acupuncture points were selected.
• Treatment involved specific needling techniques, including short needling at BL57 and even needling at PC4, with needles retained for 30 minutes.
• Therapy was conducted every two days, three times a week, for a total of three weeks.

Main Results:

• The patient experienced significant relief from lumbal and gluteal pain and discomfort.
• Complete resolution of symptoms was observed after three weeks of acupuncture treatment.
• No recurrence of symptoms was noted during a one-month follow-up period.

Conclusions:

• Acupuncture, utilizing specific points like BL57 and PC4, appears to be an effective treatment for osteitis condensans ilii.
• This case suggests acupuncture as a viable therapeutic option for managing OCI pain.
• Further research is warranted to confirm these findings in a larger patient cohort.