Abstract:

BACKGROUND: Small-needle-knife therapy for knee osteoarthritis has no uniform location, operation and mechanisms of action. Studies have proved that exercise therapy can enhance muscle strength, increase stability of the knee, improve joint range of motion, and effectively relieve pain.
OBJECTIVE: To observe the clinical effect of small-needle-knife therapy combined with exercise therapy for treatment of knee osteoarthritis via a randomized controlled clinical trial.
METHODS: 122 patients were randomly divided into treatment group (n=61; small-needle-knife therapy combined with exercise therapy) and control group (n=61; low-frequency therapy combined with exercise therapy). Then, clinical efficacy in the two groups were assessed by statistical analysis of visual analog scale, Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), swelling degree of the knee joint, quadriceps circumference, flexion and extension of the knee joint before and after treatment. Meanwhile, adverse reactions in patients were recorded for safety evaluation.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) The visual analog scale and WOMAC scores in the two groups were both significantly improved at 2 weeks after treatment (P < 0.05). Moreover, these scores in the treatment group were significantly lower than those in the control group (P < 0.05). (2) At 12 weeks after treatment, the WOMAC score in the treatment group was better than that in the control group (P < 0.05), and the range of motion of the knee joint was also better in the treatment group than the control group (P < 0.05). (3) According to the full analysis set and per protocol set, the total efficiency rats in the treatment group were both superior to those in the control group (P < 0.001). (4) In the treatment group, there were four cases of surgery, four cases lost to follow-up, and two cases of mild adverse reactions; in the control group, there were six cases of surgery, three cases lost to follow-up, and no adverse reaction. Taken together, small-needle-knife therapy and physiotherapy both have certain clinical effects on knee osteoarthritis. Small-needle-knife therapy combined with exercise therapy is superior to physiotherapy combined with exercise therapy in the total efficiency. Follow-up results of 3 months have been confirmed, but long-term effects need further exploration.