Expert: R. Scott Malone L.Ac. - 2/21/2011

Question
I read your answer from 1 yr ago about using acupuncture on adhesions & scar tissue.  In late March 2010 I fractured my tibial plateau in a skiing accident.  I had surgery in early April and as a result have a plate & 5 screws in my leg.  I was instructed to keep the leg straight and put no weight on it for 9 weeks.  When I was able to begin using the leg it would not bend beyond 30 degrees.  I went back in for a manipulation in June.  I can bend the knee now but it is almost constantly stiff and swollen.  I went through 3 months of PT & now work with a personal trainer twice weekly and do water aerobics 3 times a week. I still can't walk up stairs like a "normal" person and would be hard pressed to walk even a block by myself.  I don't feel that I am getting any better and am not willing to accept that this is as good as it gets.  Do you think acupuncture could help me?

Answer
Hey Trish,

Well, first off, good for you for not accepting that it's as good as it's going to get.
While there is no way to know to what extent, I do think acupuncture could help you,
I would treat you twice a week for five weeks and then reasses.
I don't think you should go forever in the hopes that it would eventually fix it, but I would try 10 treatments or so and see how you do. If you don't get results, I would either a) try someone else
or b)find a massage therapist that does structural integration or rolfing.
I work with a rolfer and after having gone through the 10 series I'm sold on that modality.

I would try acupuncture for 10 sessions first though and see how you do.
Don't quit, my belief is that even if I can't help a patient for whatever reason, there is someone out there who can.

All the best, let me know how it turns out for you, I'd be interested to know.


R. Scott Malone L.Ac.