Clinical Observation of Traditional Chinese Medicine Foot Bath Combined with Analgesic Pump on Post-Cesarean Section Pain and Recovery of Lower Limb Circulation

Abstract

Objective: To explore the clinical effect of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) foot bath combined with postoperative analgesic pump on post-cesarean section pain and recovery of lower limb circulation. Methods: A total of 500 puerperas who underwent cesarean section in our hospital from January 2023 to December 2023 were selected and randomly divided into an experimental group (234 cases) and a control group (266 cases). The control group received conventional postoperative electronic analgesic pump (sufentanil + ondansetron + dezocine) for continuous analgesia, while the experimental group received additional TCM foot bath treatment based on the control group’s regimen. The postoperative pain level (NRS score), analgesic pump drug usage, time of first ambulation, and lower limb swelling rate were observed in both groups. Results: The NRS scores at 24h and 48h postoperatively in the experimental group (2.03 ± 0.54, 0.91 ± 0.27) were significantly lower than those in the control group (3.45 ± 0.71, 1.85 ± 0.49) (P < 0.001). The total drug usage of the analgesic pump in the experimental group was reduced by 28.6%, and the time of first ambulation was advanced to (12.2 ± 1.9) h, which was better than that of the control group (15.7 ± 2.3) h (P < 0.001). The incidence of lower limb swelling in the experimental group (6.8%) was significantly lower than that in the control group (18.4%) (P < 0.001). Conclusion: TCM foot bath combined with an analgesic pump can synergistically relieve post-cesarean section pain, reduce the demand for analgesic drugs, promote lower limb blood circulation and early ambulation, with significant clinical effects.