OBJECTIVETo objectively evaluate the clinical efficacy of stiletto needle for pain of knee osteoarthri tis (KOA), and analyze its function mechanism.

METHODSSeventy-six cases of KOA (76 knees) were selected. Under the guide of Jingjin theory in TCM, stiletto needle was applied at pain point of Jingjin in extra-articular area to have a loose solution effect, 1 to 3 points were selected each time, 1 to 2 times of treatment were required. The results of tenderness measurement instrument was adopted as main evaluation index of joint pain, and all data of evaluation indices before and after the treatment were statistical analyzed.

RESULTSThere were significant differences in visual analogue scale (VAS) score, tenderness score, HSS function score and movement range of joint before and after the treatment (all P < 0.05). The effective rate of stiletto needle therapy was 89.5%. There was apparent regression trend between VAS score and tenderness score with Y (VAS) = 7.841-1.569 X (tenderness score) as its regressive equation.

CONCLUSIONThe stiletto needle therapy is an effective method to relieve the pain of knee osteoarthritis, and its clinical efficacy evaluation could be more objective and digital with tenderness measurement instrument.