OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of Tuigua manipulation combined with quadriceps exercise for treating degenerative gonarthritis.

METHODSIn the study, 48 patients (60 knees) meeting diagnostic criteria of degenerative gonarthritis were randomly divided into two groups: treatment group and control group. The patients in the treatment group were treated with Tuigua manipulation combined with quadriceps exercise; while the patients in the control group were treated with manipulation for osteoarthritis in Tuina Xue. All the patient in the control and treatment group were treated for 3 courses of treatment, and 10 days were one course of treatment. The index such as pain, joint range of motion, function and muscle power were observed and compared before and after treatment.

RESULTSAfter treatment, in the treatment group, 7 knees were cured, 21 knees got a good result and 2 knees had no effect; while in the control group, the above data were 8, 19, 3 respectively. There was no statistically differences between the therapeutic effects of the two groups. Both methods were effective to improve clinical symptoms of degenerative gonarthritis, and the index such as the pain, joint range of motion, function and muscle power of the patients in two groups were improved after the treatment (P < 0.05). Comparison between the two groups, the improvement of knee function and quadriceps muscle power of patients in treatment group was better than that of control group (P < 0.05); but the improvement of pain and joint range of motion in two groups had no statistically differences (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe method of Tuigua manipulation combined with quadriceps exercise is effective to improve clinical signs and symptoms of patients with degenerative gonarthritis, to improve quality of life of patients, slow down degenerative of arthrodial cartilage, prevent the disease aggravating,which is worth spreading.