Clinical Efficacy of β-Sodium Aescinate Injection Combined with Rehabilitation for Preventing Post-Surgical Swelling and Relieving Pain in Pediatric Lower Extremity Fractures

Abstract

Lower extremity fractures (LEFs) are a severe form of extremity trauma. β-sodium aescinate (β-SA), derived from dried fruits of Aesulus wilsonii, is commonly used in clinical practice to treat post-surgical swelling. In this study, we aim to investigate the preventive effects of β-SA injection on carrageenan-induced paw swelling in rats and its efficacy in 70 pediatric patients who received surgery for LEFs and rehabilitation plans. The rats were divided into three groups: a vehicle group received 2.5 mg/kg normal saline and two treatment groups received a tail vein injection of either 1 mg/kg or 2.5 mg/kg β-SA. Our results demonstrated that treatment with 2.5 mg/kg β-SA increased the time required for paw volume to reach peak value and markedly reduced inflammation factor levels compared to the group treated with normal saline or 1 mg/kg β-SA (P <0.05). In pediatric patients, after administration of β-SA with rehabilitation plans, the mean swelling score for affected limbs was 1.13 (±0.81), which was significantly lower than the score of 1.71 (±1.04) observed in those treated with mannitol injection and rehabilitation plans (P <0.05). A significant difference in therapeutic response between these two groups of patients (P = 0.023). Furthermore, pediatric patients receiving β-SA injection with rehabilitation plans exhibited lower FLACC scores and higher FMA scores compared to those receiving mannitol injection with rehabilitation plans (P <0.05). In conclusion, β-SA injection combined with rehabilitation plans could significantly prevent post-surgical swelling and alleviate pain in pediatric patients with LEFs.