Short - Term Curative Effect Of The Treatment Of Knee Osteoarthritis With

Objective:Osteoarthritis (OA), also known as degenerative joint disease, primarily affects the middle-age and elderly population in cervical, lumbar, elbow, pelvic, knee and other joints. The main symptoms of OA may include recurring pain in the knee joint and could be accompanied by increasing stiffness or potentially lead to the deformity of bones. As a result, patients’ range of motion could become limited, and the buckling of the knee could create functional impediment. Clinically, OA is one of the most common joint diseases. The purpose of this research is to explore the use of Yuan-Li acupuncture method and the standard acupuncture method in the treatment of KOA and compare and contrast their clinical effectiveness.Methods:1.50 clinically-diagnosed KOA patients were divided into 2 randomly-assigned groups:25 in the observation group (Yuan-Li acupuncture) and 25 in the control group (standard acupuncture). The points for the observation group were selected by palpating through pressing for tenderness and pain, scanning for nodules or spasm, feeling for bumpiness and granularity, and testing whether pressure would improve the condition and reduce symptoms. The most commonly-treated points with the presence of tendon nodules were found in Ashi point, Dubi (ST35), Neixiyan(EX-LE4), Xuehai (SP10), Liangqiu(ST34), Heding(EX-LE2), Zhongdu(GB32), Yinglingquan(SP9), Yanglingquan(GB34), etc..In Yuan-Li acupuncture, after the needles are inserted, it is not necessary to employ hand manipulation. Each needle is quickly entered and removed and does not remain in the body. The control group followed standard point location for Dubi(ST35), Neixiyan(EX-LE4), Xuehai (SP10), Liangqiu(ST34), Zhongdu (GB32), Heding (EX-LE2), Zusanli(ST3), Yanglingquan(GB34), Weizhong(BL40), Yinlingquan(SP), plus Ashi point. The needles were inserted using standard procedure, leaving in the body for 20 to 25 minutes. Both the observation and control groups received one treatment daily for 4 times as a treatment cycle. After 2 treatment cycles, the effectiveness of the treatments was evaluated.2. Visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain and Lequesne index of severity for osteoarthritis were used to assess the scores for before and after 2 treatment cycle for both groups. Statistical analysis was employed to evaluate the improvement in pain and symptoms in order to evaluate clinical effectiveness. Scores are assessed both before and after the treatments, using the difference between pre-and post-treatment as the clinical effectiveness criteria. The 3 main categories include pain/discomfort, maximum distance walked, and activities of daily living. Pain/discomfort includes pain or discomfort during nocturnal bedrest, duration of morning stiffness or pain after getting up, remaining standing for 30 minutes increases pain, pain on walking, pain when walking and standing up from sitting position. Maximum distance walked include the biggest stride distance and dependence on cane or other walking aids. Activities of daily living include going up stairs, going down stairs, squatting or kneeling and walking on uneven surfaces.Results:(1) The scores for VAS and Lequesne index showed statistical significance (p<0.05) for the observation group in the before-and after-treatment for all three main categories of pain/discomfort, maximum distance walked and activities of daily living.(2) The scores for VAS and Lequesne index showed statistical significance (p<0.05) for the control group in the before-and after-treatment for the two main categories of pain/discomfort and activities of daily living. There is no statistical significance for the pain-maximum distance walked category.(3) The treatment and control group patients the scores of Treatment Results Of VAS and Lequesne index have statistically significant differences after treatment (p<0.05)(4) Clinical efficacy of treatment and control groups has statistically significant differences after the treatment session (p<0.05).Conclusion:(1) The clinical symptoms such as pain and discomfort in both groups have significant improvement after one treatment session.(2) The treatment group is better than control group in Treatment Results Of VAS and Lequense Indexs scores after the treatment.(3) The better clinical efficacy and relief have been achieved for the Yuan-Li acupunctureand its efficacy is superior to the routine acupuncture treatment.