ABSTRACT
ObjectiveTo investigate the efficacy of interactive thumbtack needle embedding plus rehabilitation instruction in treating knee osteoarthritis.Method Seventy outpatients with knee osteoarthritis were randomly allocated to acupuncture-rehabilitation and control groups, 35 cases each. The control group received rehabilitation instruction alone and the treatment group, interactive thumbtack needle embedding in addition. The function of the affected knee was assessed using the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) score and manual muscle test (MMT) in the two groups of patients before and after two courses of treatment. The therapeutic effect was evaluated using Nimodipine method accordingto 2002Guidelines on Clinical Study of New Chinese Herbal Medicine(trial).ResultAfter two courses of treatment, there were a statistically significant pre-/post-treatment differences in the WOMAC total score, pain score, stiffness score and function score in both groups (P0.05). There was a statistically significant difference in therapeutic effect between the two groups (P<0.05).ConclusionInteractive thumbtack needle embedding plus rehabilitation instruction has a definite therapeutic effect on knee osteoarthritis.