Doctors Studying Postsurgery Acupuncture

Physicians at Summit Orthopedics, in conjunction with Woodwinds Health Campus in Woodbury, are studying acupuncture as pain management therapy for postsurgery rehabilitation.

Acupuncture is a holistic approach to pain relief that entails inserting fine, sterile needles into specific body parts in order to stimulate the body’s immune and healing systems. A study is currently underway to determine whether acupuncture helps control the pain of patients following knee or hip joint replacement surgery.

Dr. Daniel Hoeffel is lead investigator of the clinical trial and a specialist in joint replacement surgery at Summit Orthopedics.

Says Dr. Hoeffel: “While acupuncture has proven effective as a treatment method on its own and as therapy for nonorthopedic surgeries, this is one of the few studies that has measured outcomes of acupuncture as therapy following major orthopedic surgery.

“We support this research to learn how acupuncture can potentially help ease pain and speed recovery of patients in conjunction with traditional care that includes pain medication and physical therapy.”

The study is open for participants who: are between the ages of 18 and 80, are scheduled for total knee or hip replacement surgery to be done at Woodwinds, have not had acupuncture before, and are not participating in another clinical trial.

If you are interested in participating, contact Val Lincoln, Ph.D., RN, Clinical Lead for Integrative Services at Woodwinds Hospital, at vlincoln@healtheast.org. Her phone number is (651) 232-0607. Leave your name and daytime phone number and a call will be returned to you promptly.