Therapeutic methods
pain
SEPARATION

Auricular bean-pressing process. (A) Disinfection; (B) Selected auricular acupoints; (C) Fixed Cowherb seeds: (D) Finished.The control group received routine rehabilitation treatment. In both groups, the patients required NSAIDs during treatment and follow-up; this was prescribed as oral celecoxib (Pfizer Inc., USA) as an anti-inflammatory and for pain relief, one tablet twice a day. Functional exercises were prescribed: isometric training, e.g., straight leg raising and plantar dorsiflexion as the main methods for enhancing muscle strength when the pain was severe or in the acute stage. Joint loosening training included femoral-tibial and proximal tibiofibular joint long-axis traction, patellofemoral lateral and up-down sliding, patellofemoral joint separation, lateral horizontal pushing of the femorotibial joint, patella sliding, and knee extension swings [The treatment group received auricular point bean-pressing therapy based on the rehabilitation treatment. For auricular disinfection, a cotton swab was pressed onto the acupoints (Fig. 