What was one outcome of the study on dry needling administered before total knee arthroplasty (TKA)?

The study on dry needling administered before total knee arthroplasty (TKA) indicated a significant decrease in post-operative pain medication use. This outcome highlights the potential effectiveness of dry needling as a pre-operative intervention to manage pain. Reduced reliance on post-operative pain medications can lead to a range of positive effects, including a lower risk of side effects associated with opioid use, a quicker recovery time, and an improved overall patient experience. By addressing muscular tightness and myofascial pain prior to surgery, dry needling may help facilitate a smoother post-operative recovery, allowing patients to rely less on medications and focus more on rehabilitation and functional recovery.