Q I am afraid of the needle knife procedure. Is it safe? Is there no risk of my tendon rupturing? I am a woman in my 50s.
A The needle knife is a special needle thicker than a standard needle and is performed without local anesthesia. When performed by a skilled Korean medicine doctor, the risk of tendon damage is very low. Safety is further enhanced by using ultrasound guidance, which allows for real-time monitoring of tendon and nerve locations and the selective dissection of only the A1 pulley. Local pain and bruising may occur for 1 to 2 days after the procedure, but they usually disappear naturally.
Detailed Answer
The needle knife (also known as the Wonri needle or needle knife) is a flat-edged needle with a diameter of 0.5 to 1.0 mm used to dissect local adhesions and tendon sheaths. According to the literature, the frequency of procedure complications is 1 to 3%, mainly involving minor bleeding and bruising. Tendon rupture is directly related to the practitioner's anatomical accuracy; using real-time ultrasound guidance allows for precise measurement of tendon diameter and pulley thickness, enabling dissection within a safe range. It is contraindicated for patients taking thrombolytics, those with infected areas, and pregnant women.
Korean Medicine Clinic Perspective
Dochim is a treatment that combines a modern anatomical approach with the principles of Korean medicine, which aim to resolve stagnation by stimulating blocked circulation. The act of separating adherent tissues is analogous to opening the pathways of blocked circulation and aligns with the action of physically removing and releasing clotted blood. At Dongjedang, we minimize the burden of the procedure by thoroughly assessing the patient's condition beforehand and adhering to a principle of achieving maximum effect with minimal stimulation under ultrasound guidance.
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