Electroacupuncture plus external application of Chinese medicine for knee osteoarthritis

Objective

To reveal the action mechanism and efficacy of electroacupuncture (EA) plus external application of Wei Ling Xian (Radix Clematidis) extract in treating knee osteoarthritis (KOA), for providing theoretical evidence and novel plan for the treatment of KOA.

Methods

Totally 284 inpatients were divided into an EA group and an observation group by the random number table, 142 cases in each group. The EA group was intervened by EA, ultrashort waves, and oral administration of Glucosamine Hydrochloride capsules; while the observation group was by external application of Wei Ling Xian (Radix Clematidis) extract at topical area in addition to the treatment given to the EA group. The intervention lasted 14 d in both groups. X-ray examination of knee joint was ordered before and after treatment, as well as the detection of positive expression of matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) in cartilage of knee joint, hyaluronic acid (HA) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) in the inflammatory effusion; the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities osteoarthritis index (WOMAC) and visual analogue scale (VAS) were adopted to evaluate the clinical efficacy.

Results

In the observation group, the X-ray examination result of knee joint was significantly improved, the positive expressions of MMP-1 and IL-1β content were significantly decreased, the level of HA was increased, WOMAC and VAS scores dropped, and the total effective rate was 91.5%, which were significantly different from those in the EA group (P<0.05).

Conclusion

EA plus external application of Wei Ling Xian (Radix Clematidis) extract can produce a more significant efficacy in treating KOA compared to ordinary EA treatment.