Objective

2

To observe the clinical effect of internal heat acupuncture therapy for knee osteoarthritis of early to middle stages

and explore its influence on cartilage thickness.

Methods

2

A total of 44 patients with knee osteoarthritis of early to middle stages were treated with internal heat acupuncture therapy at

ashi

points (most of them are located at the subpatellar fat pad

both sides of the patellar ligament

the tendon of the quadriceps and the attachment of the medial and lateral collateral ligaments)

once a week

a total of 4 weeks of treatment. Before and after treatment

after 3 months of treatment completion (in the follow-up)

the visual analogue scale (VAS) score

Western Ontario and McMaster Universities osteoarthritis index (WOMAC) score

frequency of 30-second chair stand test (30sCST)

cartilage thickness of femoral intercondylar and knee joint ultrasound score were compared

and the clinical effect was evaluated.

Results

2

After treatment

the VAS、WOMAC and knee joint ultrasound scores were reduced (

P

<

0.05)

frequency of 30sCST was increased (

P

<

0.05) compared with those before treatment; in the follow-up

the VAS、WOMAC scores were reduced (

P

<

0.05)

frequency of 30sCST and cartilage thickness of femoral intercondylar were increased (

P

<

0.05) compared with those before treatment. After treatment

the total effective rate was 93.2% (41/44)

in the follow-up

the total effective rate was 95.5% (42/44).

Conclusion

2

Internal heat acupuncture therapy is effective in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis of early to middle stages

could relieve the pain

improve the joint function

and delay cartilage degeneration and disease progression.