Comparison of clinical efficacy of neddle knife at acupoints selected from recent regions along meridians and according to anatomical structures in treating early and middle stage knee osteoarthritis

Objective:To stimulate tenderness points around knee joint in two metholds-corresponding acupoints selected from recent regions along meridians and anatomical structures,to compare the clinical efficacy of neddle knife of to cure early and middle stage knee osteoarthritis.Method:70 patients were randomly(Random Number Tables)divided into test group(acupoints selected from recent regions along meridians,n=35)and control group(anatomical structures,n=35),who were diagnosed as knee osteoarthritis.Observe the VAS(visual analogue scale),Lysholm,WOMAC(the Western Ontario and McMaster Unive rsities Osteoarthritis Index)and ROM(rang of motion)between two groups in first week,first month,third month after treatment.Recording the degree of improvement of knee joint’s pain,dysfunction and symptoms of osteoarthritis and rang of motion.Results:Within groups,the VAS,Lysholm,WOMAC and ROM were obviously different from pre-therapy scores in the third,sixth and twelfth week post-therapy(P<0.05).Between groups no significant difference were observed in the third week post-therapy about VAS,Lysholm,WOMAC scores(P>0.05).However,there were differences in the sixth,twelfth weeks post-therapy(P<0.05);compared with control group,the ROM of test group were difference in the third,sixth,twelfth weeks post-therapy(P<0.05).Conclusion:The clinical efficacy of stimulating corresponding acupoints tenderness points selected from recent regions along meridians to treat early and middle stage knee osteoarthritis was superior to anatomical structures,which can effectively relieve pain,dysfunction,symptoms of osteoarthritis of knee joint and rang of motion.