I have PT's in my office with two other trainings for dry needling, everyone has different take on when to dry needle acute post op patients. 3 months, 6 months... I have dry needled 4-6 six weeks post op when they arrive at outpatient PT. Of course I am not needling into the joint, but for example a TKA- I may do the quads, ITB, gastroc. Is there any research on time frames for infection purposes etc? Thoughts?
thank you,
Jackie
Hi Jacqueline!
The concern with needling post operative joints is infection. The lesions we create with needling are so small, the odds of infection are almost negligible. However, the risk for infection after surgery is highest the first 30 days post op whether the person is getting needling or not. Out of an abundance of caution, do not needle the surgical joint for the first 30 days. You do not want to be associated with infection.
It's best practice to contact the physician when you will be needling the involved joint if the patient recently had surgery to maintain a good rapport.
That being said, needling proximal/distal to the surgical site is safe early post op, as you mentioned!
I've dry needled patients two days post op in the quadriceps/ITB/calves and lumbar paravertebral region as a great source of pain management and restoring quad function early!
I'm not aware of any research concerning dry needling timelines and post op status.
Please let me know if you have any other questions.
Natalie
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