This article describes the current status of knee pain and surgical options: how cupping and bleeding therapy in Traditional Chinese Medicine can beat a knee arthroscopy.
Knee pain is a widespread issue, affecting people of all ages due to injuries, degenerative conditions, or general wear and tear. Among the most common solutions in modern medicine is the surgical knee arthroscopy, particularly arthroscopic partial meniscectomy (APM), used to treat meniscal tears. However, recent studies have raised doubts about the effectiveness of this procedure, making room for alternative treatments like cupping and bleeding therapy in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). This post will explore the effectiveness of knee arthroscopy, compare it with TCM methods, and provide insight into why alternative approaches may offer comparable benefits with fewer risks and lower costs.
The Prevalence of Knee Pain and Arthroscopy
Knee pain, especially related to the meniscus, is a major concern in orthopedic medicine. The meniscus is a critical component of knee function, serving as a cushion between the thigh bone and shin bone. When the meniscus tears due to degeneration or injury, it often leads to pain, swelling, and restricted movement. The go-to medical intervention for this problem has been arthroscopic partial meniscectomy (APM), an invasive surgical procedure where damaged parts of the meniscus are removed.
However, while this procedure is common, with around 700,000 performed annually in the U.S. alone at an estimated cost of $4 billion, its efficacy has been questioned by recent studies. According to the findings of a multi-center, randomised, double-blind, sham-controlled trial of 146 patients, APM offers no better results than a placebo (sham surgery) for patients. These results challenge the assumption that surgery is the best course of action for meniscal tears.
Key Findings from the Study
In this study, patients between the ages of 35 and 65 with knee pain due to degenerative meniscus tears were randomly assigned either to APM or sham surgery. After 12 months, the researchers found no significant difference in outcomes between the two groups. The primary outcomes included changes in:
Lysholm Score: Measures function and symptoms (lower scores indicate more severe symptoms).
Western Ontario Meniscal Evaluation Tool (WOMET): Evaluates the impact of meniscal problems on a patient's quality of life.
Knee Pain After Exercise: Rated on a scale of 0 (no pain) to 10 (severe pain).
The results showed minor improvements in both groups, but the differences between the APM and sham surgery groups were statistically insignificant:
Lysholm score improved by 21.7 points in the APM group versus 23.3 in the sham group.
WOMET score improved by 24.6 points in the APM group versus 27.1 in the sham group.
Knee pain after exercise decreased by 3.1 points in the APM group and 3.3 points in the sham group.
These results strongly suggest that APM may not provide the expected benefits for patients with degenerative meniscal tears. Despite this, the number of arthroscopic surgeries continues to rise, highlighting a gap between medical practice and evidence-based treatment.
In contrast to knee surgery the sham surgery appears to have provided greater benefits to patients in the study.
The Rise of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for Knee Pain
Given the rising concerns about the effectiveness of knee pain arthroscopy, many patients are exploring alternative treatments, including Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Cupping and bleeding therapy are two ancient techniques used in TCM that show promise for alleviating knee pain without the risks and costs associated with surgery.
Cupping Therapy: This involves placing heated cups on the skin to create suction, which helps stimulate blood flow, reduce inflammation, and promote healing.
Bleeding Therapy: Involves pricking the skin with a bleeding needle, such as a hypodermic, and using suction to draw out a small amount of blood. This removal of blood from a painful area promotes a recirculation of fresh blood to the area that promotes regeneration in the local area.
This is what a knee arthroscopy looks like in Traditional Chinese Medicine using Cupping and Bleeding.
How Can Cupping and Bleeding Benefit Patients Over Knee Arthroscopy?
The study highlighted shows that patients actually fared better with sham surgery than with knee arthroscopy. Interestingly, the sham surgery involved making small incisions in the "knee eyes," which, in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), is a treatment method for various knee issues. TCM uses pricking and bleeding in these areas to treat knee pain effectively. When combined with cupping therapy, the results are even more pronounced. Adding acupuncture and a TENS machine further enhances the healing effects, offering a non-invasive alternative to surgery.
Comparing the Effectiveness of Knee Arthroscopy and TCM Methods
The question arises: How does TCM, specifically cupping and bleeding therapy, stack up against knee arthroscopy?
Cost:
Knee arthroscopy, especially in the U.S., is a costly procedure, with direct medical costs averaging $4 billion annually. This does not account for post-surgical physical therapy or potential complications.
TCM therapies like cupping and bleeding are far more affordable and do not require the same level of medical infrastructure or aftercare. A series of cupping and bleeding sessions costs a fraction of the price of surgery.
Risks:
Arthroscopic surgery carries risks such as infection, blood clots, and nerve damage, albeit these risks are low in most cases.
Cupping and bleeding therapy have minimal risks when performed by a trained practitioner. The most common side effects are temporary bruising or skin irritation, which pale in comparison to the risks associated with surgery.
Recovery Time:
Patients undergoing APM typically require weeks of recovery, followed by months of physical therapy to restore full function to the knee.
TCM therapies, on the other hand, have little to no downtime. Patients can usually resume normal activities immediately following a cupping or bleeding session.
Effectiveness:
As demonstrated by the recent study, APM may offer no significant improvement over placebo surgery for many patients. For individuals with degenerative meniscal tears, the benefits are marginal at best.
Research and studies on TCM therapies for knee pain show improvements over medical and surgical treatments may achieve. Evidence suggest that cupping and bleeding along with acupuncture, TENS and herbal medicine can provide significant pain relief and improved mobility for many patients. These therapies also target inflammation and promote healing, similar to the goals of arthroscopic surgery.
Conclusion: Reconsidering Knee Arthroscopy in Light of TCM
The findings of the recent sham-controlled study on arthroscopic partial meniscectomy call into question the widespread use of this procedure for patients with degenerative meniscal tears. With no significant difference in outcomes between APM and sham surgery, patients and healthcare providers should reconsider the necessity of such interventions, especially given the high costs and potential risks involved.
Cupping and bleeding therapy, while rooted in ancient practices, offer a low-risk, cost-effective alternative that could provide similar benefits for many patients. As more people seek out non-invasive treatments for knee pain, the value of TCM is becoming increasingly apparent. For individuals looking to avoid surgery, TCM therapies provide a viable path to pain relief and improved quality of life, without the need for invasive procedures or extended recovery periods.
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