Objective: Observe the clinical effect of acupuncture-moxibustion combined with massage in the treatment of senile arthrosis of the knee.

Methods: Warming needle technique combined with massage. (1) Warming needle technique: A-shi points are selected as the main points combined with Dubi (ST35), Xiyan (EX-LE5), Liangqiu (ST34), Xuehai (SP10), Dazhui (GV14) For excessive Wind, Fengshi (GB31), Fengfu (GV16), for excessive cold and damp, Zusanli (ST36). Select 4 to 8 points in every treatment. The patient is treated in supine position with the knee exposed and extended. After needling, place a moxa box on the knee and apply moxibustion for 30 minutes. The treatment is given once every other day. 10 sessions constitutes one course. (2) technique: After acupuncture treatment, the practitioner apply massage on the distal end of the femoral quadriceps muscle by kneading, pressing, lifting and holding, and the medial and lateral aspects of knee joint by twisting and squeezing with both hands. These manipulations are applied repeatedly 6 times. The knee is flexed in 90 degree ed the manipulation of pulling downward of the knee is applied for 1 to 2 minutes. The patella of the patient is slid in various directions and moved clockwise and counterclockwise like banding so as to increase the movement of the Patella. The Patella is then grasped with the finger tips of the practitioner to be pulled up 5 to 10 times, meanwhile the patella is pressed and kneaded, these manipulations are repeated 10 to 20 times. The knee is stretched and flexed to the maximal degree, at which pause is made for a while, finally the muscles of the lower limbs are lifted, kneaded and pressed repeatedly 5 times by both hands of the practitioner.

Results: The cured is referred to the condition in which pain disappears, joint ejections resume and there is no relapse in 3 months. Remarkable effect is referred to that in which the principal symptoms and signs disappear mostly and joint functions are improved. No effect is referred to that in which the symptoms and signs are not seen with improvement.

Conclusin: After application of acupuncture-moxibustion is added to the local region with the help of the moxa box so that the capillaries of the local region are dilated, blood circulation and absorption of the inflammation promoted. As massage is added in the treatment, the function of the joints is improved since the metabolism of the local region is accelerated, and absorption of the non-bacterial inflammation and metabolism of pain produced substances are benefited.

By Tang Dongyue