To explore the clinical curative effect of Gancao Fuzi Decoction in treating osteoarthritis of knee joint and to analyze its mechanism on how to relieve the symptoms and signs of the disease.
100 cases were randomly divided into treatment group with orally taken Gancao Fuzi Decoction and control group with orally taken Votalin sustained released tablets. Then the symptoms and signs of the disease were classified, and a table to record observations was designed. Two weeks later, statistical treatment was carried out basing on the observation and points in the table. And then the study drew comparisons before and after the treatment as well as between the two groups. Other evaluations were carried out among the patients with osteoarthritis of knee joint, including reactive protein C, blood sedimentation rate, interleukin-I, arthralgia, tendernese of joints, joint function, integrated therapy, adverse effects etc.
The total effective rate of the control and treated group were 88% and 92%, respectively. The symptoms, the physical sign score and the index of the laboratory had predominance statistical significant (P < 0.01) between the prior and after treatment and the latter was better, the effects of both groups were equal and had no statistical significance. The changes of the C-reactive protein and blood sedimentation in the control group were better than in the treated group.
Gancao Fuzi Decoction has the function of war-ming yang, expelling wind, eliminating dampness, removing swelling, relieving pain and improving joints indeed when treating osteoarthritis of knee joint.