OBJECTIVETo explore stiletto needle and needle-knife for influence of double sufficient weight in treating knee osteoarthritis patients.

METHODSOne hundred and thirteen early and medium term knee osteoarthritis patients were randomly divided into three groups, including stiletto needle group(38 cases), needle-knife group (38 cases) and voltaren group (37 cases). In stiletto needle group, there were 13 males and 25 females with an average of(55.87±7.72) years old, treated by stiletto needle once a week, and 2 weeks were a course; there were 11 males and 27 females in needle-knife group with an average of(57.11±7.07) years old, treated by acupotome once a week, and 2 weeks were a course; there were 12 males and 25 females in voltaren group with an average age of(57.62±8.08) years old, treated by votalin emulsion smearing 3 to 5 cm on painful area of knee joint, three times a day for 2 weeks; 36 patients in normal group, including 11 males and 25 females with a mean age of (55.28±7.55) years old, treated with nothing. Gravitational four lattice used to measure bipedal back and forth load before and after treatment in further observe weight-bearing situation among three groups, d value, which was the distance from center of gravity to original point, was measured as a obvervational index, JOA score was used to evaluate clinical effect.

RESULTSFive patients were fall out, including 2 patients in stiletto needle group, 2 patients in needle-knife group and 1 patient in voltaren group. Other 108 patients were followed-up from 28 to 35 d with an average of 30 d, and without untoward effect. There was significant difference in d value between treatment group and control group at 1 month after treatment(<0.05); there was significant difference in d value among treatment group at 1 month after treatment(>0.05), and d value was decreased before treatment than that of after treatment. There was no significant difference in JOA score among treatment group after treatment at 1 month(<0.05); while had significant difference between groups(>0.05) after treatment at 1 month.

CONCLUSIONSStiletto needle, needle-knife and voltaren for the treatment of knee osteoarthritis at early and middle stage, center of gravity is closer to original point, and weight-bearing is improved. It is a easy method of four lattice to measure change of weight-bearing in KOA patients after treatment.