BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Acupotomy is a modern type of acupuncture that uses a 
blade-needle combined with a flat surgical scalpel at its tip. This study was 
conducted to summarize and critically evaluate the current evidence on 
acupotomy.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: All relevant studies up to February 19, 2019, were 
included, through comprehensive searches in 11 electronic databases without 
language restrictions.
RESULTS: Eleven systematic reviews (SRs) comprising of 69 randomized controlled 
trials were included, and the methodological quality was medium-to-high in 
AMSTAR. All the included studies reviewed musculoskeletal disorders and reported 
a significantly higher total effective and cure rates in the acupotomy group for 
frozen shoulder, cervical spondylosis, third lumbar vertebrae transverse process 
syndrome, trigger finger, knee osteoarthritis, and lumbar spinal stenosis, 
compared to the other active control groups.
CONCLUSION: Acupotomy showed promising results for some musculoskeletal 
disorders; however, additional high-quality evidence is required to make 
clinical recommendations regarding this procedure.