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Volume 13
Issue 22
10.3390/healthcare13222883
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Systematic Review

Acupuncture for Post-Operative Pain Relief and Functional Improvement in Tibial Fracture: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

by
Whisung Cho
1,
Woo-Chul Shin
1,
Hyungsuk Kim
1,
Won-Seok Chung
1,
Mi-Yeon Song
1,
Yousuk Youn
2 and
Jae-Heung Cho
1,*
1
Department of Korean Rehabilitation Medicine, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University Korean Medicine Hospital, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 02447, Republic of Korea
2
Chamjalham Hospital of Korean Medicine, Suwon 16263, Republic of Korea
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Healthcare 2025, 13(22), 2883; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare13222883 (registering DOI)
Submission received: 13 August 2025 / Revised: 29 September 2025 / Accepted: 9 November 2025 / Published: 12 November 2025
Review Reports Versions Notes

Abstract

Background/Objectives: Acupuncture has been used to manage various fractures. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of acupuncture in reducing post-operative pain and improving function after tibial fracture surgery. Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) was conducted to evaluate acupuncture as an intervention for tibial fractures. Eight databases were searched, covering studies from inception to August 2024. Results: Sixteen RCTs with 1315 patients were analyzed. Acupuncture, when combined with conventional rehabilitation (CR) or medication, significantly improved pain (MD −1.03, 95% CI [−1.44, −0.62]), Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) score (MD 13.21, 95% CI [9.16, 17.26]), and range of motion (ROM) of knee joint (SMD 1.80, 95% CI [0.32, 3.28]) compared to CR or medication alone. It showed significant effects on effective rate (OR 4.92, 95% CI [2.79, 8.68]; I2 = 0%) and showed a lower incidence of complications (OR 0.13, 95% CI [0.06, 0.26]). Conclusions: Acupuncture combined with CR or medication during the rehabilitation period after tibial fracture surgery can reduce pain, improve knee joint function, increase knee ROM, and decrease post-operative complications, compared to CR or medication alone.
Keywords: acupuncture; tibial fracture; systematic review; meta-analysis acupuncture; tibial fracture; systematic review; meta-analysis

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MDPI and ACS Style

Cho, W.; Shin, W.-C.; Kim, H.; Chung, W.-S.; Song, M.-Y.; Youn, Y.; Cho, J.-H. Acupuncture for Post-Operative Pain Relief and Functional Improvement in Tibial Fracture: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Healthcare 2025, 13, 2883. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare13222883

AMA Style

Cho W, Shin W-C, Kim H, Chung W-S, Song M-Y, Youn Y, Cho J-H. Acupuncture for Post-Operative Pain Relief and Functional Improvement in Tibial Fracture: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Healthcare. 2025; 13(22):2883. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare13222883

Chicago/Turabian Style

Cho, Whisung, Woo-Chul Shin, Hyungsuk Kim, Won-Seok Chung, Mi-Yeon Song, Yousuk Youn, and Jae-Heung Cho. 2025. "Acupuncture for Post-Operative Pain Relief and Functional Improvement in Tibial Fracture: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis" Healthcare 13, no. 22: 2883. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare13222883

APA Style

Cho, W., Shin, W.-C., Kim, H., Chung, W.-S., Song, M.-Y., Youn, Y., & Cho, J.-H. (2025). Acupuncture for Post-Operative Pain Relief and Functional Improvement in Tibial Fracture: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Healthcare, 13(22), 2883. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare13222883

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