ABSTRACT
Objective:To document the clinical efficacy of supplementing intra-articular injection of sodium hyaluronate with Baduanjin exercise in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis (KOA).Methods:Forty patients with KOA were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group, each of 20. Both groups received health education and intra-articular injection of sodium hyaluronate once a week for 5 consecutive weeks. The observation group additionally underwent Baduanjin exercise 3 times a week for the 5 weeks. Before and after the treatment, knee joint function, pain and surface integrated electromyography (iEMG) values of the affected quadriceps were assessed using the Western Ontario and McMaster University (WOMAC) Osteoarthritis Index Scale, and a visual analogue scale (VAS).Results:After the treatment the average VAS and WOMAC scores of both groups had decreased significantly, while the average iEMG value of the quadriceps on the affected side had increased significantly. The average VAS and WOMAC scores of the observation group were significantly lower than the control group′s averages after the treatment, while the average iEMG value of the quadriceps on the affected side was significantly higher.Conclusion:Combining Baduanjin exercise with sodium hyaluronate joint injection in the treatment of KOA has a synergistic effect which can better relieve knee pain, improve knee functioning, and delay the progression of KOA. The combined treatment is worthy of clinical promotion and application.