Physikalische Medizin, Rehabilitationsmedizin, Kurortmedizin 2024; 34(02): 99-104
DOI: 10.1055/a-2065-3790
Case Report

The Effect of Dry Needling on Suprapatellar Tendonitis: A Case Report

Dry Needling bei Patellaspitzensyndrom: ein Fallbericht
Majid Shahbazi
1   Department of Physical Therapy, School of Paramedical and Rehabilitation Sciences, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
› Author Affiliations

Abstract

Background Patellar tendinitis is common in jumping sports. Pain from patellar tendinopathy is challenging to manage. Dry needling as a stand-alone treatment for tendinopathy is supported. To our knowledge, dry needling has never been used alone. This case report depicts dry needling on the proximal patellar pole.

Case description A 43-year-old male presented with left suprapatellar tendinitis. He was injured four months before beginning dry needling while playing futsal without warming up. The superior pole of the patellar was tender to palpation and caused moderate pain. At 20 degrees of knee flexion, discomfort began during double leg squats. The Clarke’s Sign, Eccentric Step, and Step Up tests showed positive results. The patient received five sessions of DN at the proximal pole of the patella twice weekly. This study’s primary outcomes were the numeric pain rating scale (NPRS), the Kujala Anterior Knee Pain Scale (AKPS), the global rating of change scale (GRC), and the angle of knee flexion during the squat. The researcher collected data at the five stages.

Outcomes The patient’s primary outcome measures improved after three weeks of DN and three months of follow-up. The NPRS showed a reduction in pain, while the AKPS demonstrated a decrease in disability.

Conclusion The successful treatment of a patient with suprapatellar tendinopathy utilizing DN is possibly described for the first time in this case report. This study demonstrated the efficacy of dry needling as a first-line treatment for managing chronic tendinopathy with a history of trauma.

Zusammenfassung

Hintergrund Patellasehnenentzündungen sind im Springsport weit verbreitet. Schmerzen durch das Patellaspitzensyndrom sind schwierig zu behandeln. Dry Needling als eigenständige Behandlung der Tendinopathie wird unterstützt. Nach unserem Wissen wurde Dry Needling noch nie allein verwendet. Dieser Fallbericht zeigt das Dry Needling am proximalen Patellapol.

Fallbeschreibung Ein 43-jähriger Mann stellte sich mit linksseitiger suprapatellarer Tendinitis vor. Er verletzte sich vier Monate, bevor er mit dem Dry Needling begann, als er Futsal spielte ohne sich aufzuwärmen. Der obere Patellapol war palpationsempfindlich und verursachte mäßige Schmerzen. Bei 20 Grad Kniebeugung begannen die Beschwerden bei zweibeinigen Kniebeugen. Der Patient erhielt zweimal wöchentlich fünf DN-Sitzungen am proximalen Patellapol. Die primären Ergebnisse dieser Studie waren die Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS), die Kujala Anterior Knee Pain Scale (AKPS), die Global Rating of Change Scale (GRC) und der Winkel der Kniebeugung während der Kniebeuge. Der Forscher sammelte Daten in den fünf Phasen.

Ergebnisse Die primären Endpunkte des Patienten verbesserten sich nach drei Wochen DN und drei Monaten Nachbeobachtung. Der NPRS zeigte eine Verringerung der Schmerzen, während der AKPS eine Verringerung der Behinderung zeigte.

Schlussfolgerung Die erfolgreiche Behandlung eines Patienten mit suprapatellarer Tendinopathie mit DN wird in diesem Fallbericht möglicherweise erstmals beschrieben. Diese Studie demonstrierte die Wirksamkeit von Dry Needling als Erstlinienbehandlung zur Behandlung chronischer Tendinopathien mit einer Vorgeschichte von Traumata.



Publication History

Received: 10 December 2022

Accepted: 29 March 2023

Article published online:
28 April 2023

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