Application of fumigation and washing with traditional Chinese medicine in reconstruction of autogenous peroneus brevis tendon in the treatment of chronic lateral ankle instability

Objective To explore the clinical effect of fumigation and washing with traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)in reconstruction of autogenous peroneus brevis tendon in the treatment of chronic lateral ankle instability(CLAI). Methods A total of 56 patients with CLAI admitted in our hospital were randomly divided into experimental group(n=28)and control group(n=28)according to different surgery methods. The control group was treated with autogenous peroneus brevis tendon reconstruction. On this basis, the experimental group was given fumigation and washing with TCM. American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society(AOFAS)score, Visual Analogue Scale(VAS)score and average hospitalization time of the two groups were compared. Results AOFAS scores at 1 month, 3 and 6 months after surgery in two groups were significantly higher in the experimental group than those in the control group(P<0.05). VAS scores at 1 month, 3 and 6 months after surgery in two groups were all lower than those before treatment, and the experimental group was significantly lower than the control group(P<0.05). The average hospitalization time and wound healing time in the experimental group were shorter than those in the control group(P<0.05). Poor wound healing occurred in 1 case in the experimental group, and in 4 cases in the control group, and 2 cases in the control group were found to be infected. There was no significant difference in the incidence of complications between the two groups(P>0.05). Conclusion Reconstruction of autogenous peroneus brevis tendon assisted by fumigation and washing with TCM in the treatment of CLAI can effectively - improve ankle joint function, relieve pain, promote incision healing and shorten hospitalization time.