Q I was recommended surgery by an orthopedic surgeon; can I manage with only Korean medicine treatment without surgery?
A In cases of moderate or mild severity, it is sometimes possible to postpone or avoid surgery for several years solely through conservative treatment at a Korean medicine clinic. However, there are limitations to conservative treatment when there is almost no joint space or when there is severe deformity or instability; in such cases, combining surgery with Korean medicine treatment is realistic. If there is no improvement in symptoms with conservative treatment for more than three months, a re-evaluation for surgery is required.
Detailed Answer
Ankle fusion and total replacement are last resorts, and international guidelines recommend attempting sufficient conservative treatment before surgery. Predictors of conservative treatment success: Residual joint space of 1mm or more, single compartment involvement, normal body weight, and good muscle strength. If these criteria are met, the likelihood of success with Korean medicine conservative treatment is high.
Perspective of a Korean Medicine Clinic
From a Korean medicine perspective, we evaluate the body's current vital energy and recovery potential first, rather than whether surgery is inevitable. Even in cases of severe kidney deficiency or Qi and blood deficiency, pain and function can significantly improve if the foundation is restored through intensive treatment. At Dongjedang, we advise patients recommended for surgery to first attempt 2 to 3 months of intensive Korean medicine treatment and re-evaluate the decision regarding surgery after assessing objective functional changes.
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