A case report on a patient with Dupuytren’s contracture improved by acupuncture, moxibustion and bee venom pharmacopuncture

Objectives : To treat the progression of fibroproliferative disease that affects the flexion contracture of the fingers for patients with Dupuytren’s contracture, the purpose of this study is to report a case of a patient with Dupuytren’s contracture after complex Korean medical treatment. Methods : A patient was treated with acupuncture, moxibustion and bee venom pharmacopuncture on their left palmar aponeurosis. Six rounds of acupuncture and moxibustion were administered from November 30, 2015 through to January 2, 2016. Three rounds of bee venom pharmacopuncture was administered from December 14, 2015 through to January 2, 2016. The degree of flexion contracture and the Tubiana’s stage were measured to evaluate the clinical improvement. Results : After 30 treatment sessions the flexion contracture degrees of the 4th finger's metacarpophalangeal joint and proximal interphalangeal joint improved as much as 25°, 15°, respectively. And the flexion contracture degrees of the 5th finger's metacarpophalangeal joint, proximal interphalangeal joint and distal interphalangeal joint improved as much as 15°, 10°, 5°, respectively. The Tubiana’s stage of each finger decreased from 4 to 3. Conclusion : This study suggests that acupuncture, moxibustion and bee venom pharmacopuncture could be effective for patients with Dupuytren's contracture.