Objective: Observe the therapeutic effect of combined therapy with acupuncture as the main method in treatment of osteroarthritis of the knee.

Methods: 109 patients with X-ray evidence of osteoarthritis of the knee were reviewed. The average age of them was 63.3 years with the duration of the disease ranged from one month to 6.2 years. The following points were used: Liangqiu (ST34), Xuehai (SP10), internal and external Xiyan (EX-LE4 and EX-LE5), Zusanli (ST36), Yinlingquan (SP9) and local A-shi points. The patient flexed his knee with relaxation of the body, and the practitioner punctured the points which had been sterilized with No.32, 1 to l.5 cun long needle. After the arrival of qi, retained the needle for 20 minutes; meanwhile applied electric needle on 1 to 2 pairs of points. For the condition of excessive cold, used TDP lamp to radiate the local area or moxibustion during the retention of needle to a hot degree at which the patient felt comfort on the local area. For the condition of local stiffness and motor limitation, added cupping treatment for 5 minutes after acupuncture. The treatment was given once every other day, and 10 sessions constituted one course with 3 to 5 days of interval. A follow-up visit was made 6 months at the end of the treatment.

Results: Among 109 cases who had attended 12.2 times of treatment in average, the symptoms completely or nearly disappeared in 36 cases (33.0%), the symptoms were alleviated remarkably in 61 cases (56.0%), there was no improvement in 12 cases. The total effective rate was 89%. 73 of 85 patients on painkillers stopped taking painkillers after the treatment. In the follow up visit six months later there was no deterioration in 27cases (29.7%), 31 cases (34.1%) had recurrence but of less seventy than pre-treatment, 33 cases (36.2%) had recurrence at the same level as pre-treatments.

Conclusion: Acupuncture has very good effect on the improvement of the clinical symptoms of osteoarthritis of the knee of the patient since most of patients can stop taking painkillers after the treatment. In particular it is remarkably effective for the condition with short duration of disease and mild symptoms. For those who need surgical operation, it serves to promote their living quality and delay surgery.

By Jiang Aiping, Zhang Lei, Zhao Changxin, Yang fuxian.