OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of Chinese traditional medicine for the treatment of osteoarthritis of knee joint at early stage, as well as to observe the changes of articular cartilage in MRI before and after the treatment.

METHODSSixty patients were divided into two groups according to Doll's law, 32 patients in the treatment group (6 male and 26 female, with an average age of 52.2 years, ranging from 43 to 65 years, 40 joints), 28 patients in the control group (5 male and 23 female, with an average age of 54.4 years, ranging from 42 to 65 years, 33 joints). The patients in the test group were given Chinese traditional medicine orally, and patients in the control group were given celecoxib and the glucosamine hydrochloride orally for three months. MR scan and ISOA score were given respectively before and after treatment. After the treatment, the articular cartilage changes of the weight bearing area were observed to evaluate the therapeutic effects.

RESULTSAll the patients were followed up ranging from 13 to 17 months, with an average of 15.3 months. According to MRI evaluation, 15 joints got an excellent result, and 17 joints got a good result in the treatment group, the total excellent and good rate was 80.0%; and in the control group, above data were 8, 11 and 57.6% respectively. The average ISOA score of the treatment group after treatment was 0.35 +/- 0.16, and in the control group was 3.68 +/- 0.18. There was significant differences between the two groups of ISOA score (t = 6.94, P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONChinese traditional medicine can significantly alleviate or inhibit the cartilage degeneration of knee osteoarthritis at early stage and improve joint function. It had significant clinical effects.