OBJECTIVETo study the therapeutic effects of electroacupuncture for the treatment of osteoarthritis of knee joint.

METHODSForty patients with knee osteoarthritis were randomly divided into two groups: the electroacupuncture group (20 patients)and the control group (20 patients). The patients in electroacupuncture group (8 male and 12 female, with an average age of 62.50 +/- 9.23 years and mean course of disease 9.85 +/- 8.17 years)were treated with electroacupuncture for one month. At the same time, the patients in control group (7 male and 13 female, with an average age of 61.15 +/- 6.75 years and mean course of disease 8.60 +/- 6.89 years) were given Diclofenac sodium orally for one month. The motor function of knee joints were evaluated before and after treatment according to Lysholm knee scoring scale.

RESULTSMost scores in the electroacupuncture group improved significantly compared with those of before treatment (P < 0.01 or P < 0.05) except for the item demands for support. While in the control group, compared with those of before treatment, there were significant difference on the item of pain, inter locking and instability (P < 0.01 or P < 0.05), but there were no significant differences on other five items (P > 0.05). Between the two groups after treatment, differences on item of inter locking, instability, swelling, stair activity and squat were significant (P < 0.05), but no differences on limp, demands for support and pain (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONAcupuncture can effectively improve the clinical symptoms and knee joint's motor function of patients with knee osteoarthritis, and more superior than Diclofenac sodium oral. It is a proved effective method for osteoarthritis.