To observe the synergism of warm acupuncture combined with intra-articular injection of sodium hyaluronate on knee osteoarthritis (KOA).
A total of 179 KOA outpatients were randomized into warm acupuncture group (n=90) and control group (n=89) according to a randomized numeral table. Warm acupuncture (needle warmed by moxibustion) was applied to Zusanli (ST 36), Xuehai (SP 10), Yinlingquan (SP 9), Nèixīyan(EX-LE4), etc. from the second day on after intra-articular Injection of sodium hyaluronate (2 mL, once a week for 5 weeks). Sodium hyaluronate intra-articular injection was given to the patients alone in the control group. Knee joint motor function was scaled before, 2 weeks (W) and 5 W after the therapy. The patients' quality of life was determined by using "Arthritis Impact Measurement Scale" before and 5 W after the therapy.
In comparison with pre-therapy, the knee-joint motor function scores of both control group and acupuncture group were increased progressively and significantly 2 W and 5 W after the therapy. Both the knee-joint motor function score and the therapeutic effective rate of the acupuncture group were significantly higher than those of the control group (P<0.001, P<0.05). After the therapy, the scores of the Arthritis Impact Measurement Scale were significantly improved in both groups (P<0.01), and that of the acupuncture group was obviously lower than that of the control group (P<0.01).
Warm acupuncture combined with intra-articular injection of sodium hyaluronate is an effective therapy for knee osteoarthritis.