Liao Chen,1,* Qimiao Hu,2,* Hong Gao,2 Ding Tang3 

1The Third School of Clinical Medicine (School of Rehabilitation Medicine), Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, People’s Republic of China; 2Department of Acupuncture, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, People’s Republic of China; 3Department of Tuina, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University (Zhejiang Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine), Hangzhou, Zhejiang, People’s Republic of China

*These authors contributed equally to this work

Correspondence: Ding Tang, Department of Tuina, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University (Zhejiang Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine), Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310006, People’s Republic of China, Email 979337618@qq.com Hong Gao, Department of Acupuncture, the Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310005, People’s Republic of China, Email qtgh@vip.qq.com

Objective: To verify the efficacy of electroacupuncture (EA) combined with surround needling on acute lateral ankle sprain (ALAS) based on musculoskeletal ultrasound (MSKUS) imaging technology.
Methods and Analysis: Sixty-six ALAS patients will be randomly divided into EA combined with surround needling group, sham EA group and ice combined with brake rest group in a 1:1:1 ratio by using a random number table. The Kofoed scores, MSKUS quantitative measurement and circumference of ankle joint will be compared to evaluate the differences in efficacy caused by the three treatment methods as stated. Data for the assessment will be collected at baseline, three-week treatment, and two-month follow-up in three groups of ALAS patients.
Trial Registration: ChiCTR-2300078874.

Keywords: acute lateral ankle sprain, electroacupuncture, musculoskeletal ultrasound imaging technology, protocol, randomized controlled trial, surround needling