Q What is the sequence of treatment when first starting ankle osteoarthritis?
A After identifying the severity and differential diagnosis through medical history taking, physical examination, and imaging review during the initial consultation, acupuncture, moxibustion, and pharmacopuncture treatments are initiated with the primary goal of reducing pain and inflammation. Weeks 1 and 2 focus on acute phase management, after which the treatment moves to a stage of restoring joint range of motion and strengthening surrounding muscles and tendons. Herbal medicine is administered concurrently from the beginning to improve the systemic Qi and blood balance.
Detailed Answer
Stage 1 (Acute Phase, Weeks 1–4): Focus on reducing VAS pain and eliminating edema. Moxibustion, pharmacopuncture, and hot and cold physical therapy are combined. Stage 2 (Recovery Phase, Weeks 4–8): Restoration of joint range of motion and muscle strengthening. Thread embedding and fire acupuncture are added, and rehabilitation exercises begin. Stage 3 (Maintenance Phase, Weeks 8 onwards): Prevention of recurrence and functional optimization. Reduced intervals between visits, self-care education.
Korean Medicine Clinic Perspective
The stages of Korean medical treatment follow a flow of first addressing outward symptoms and then treating the root cause. In the initial stage, visible pain, swelling, and heat sensations are rapidly relieved through acupuncture; subsequently, the underlying cause—a deficiency in kidney energy and Qi-blood—is deeply treated using herbal medicine tailored to the patient's constitution and thread embedding. At Dongjedang, we evaluate treatment responses at every stage and adjust prescriptions to enhance treatment efficiency.
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