Clinical Observations on Deep Needling of Points Dubi and Medial Xiyan for the Treatment of Knee Osteoarthritis

Abstract

Objective To investigate the clinical efficacy of deep needling of points Dubi(ST35) and medial Xiyan(Ex-LE5) in treating knee osteoarthritis. Method Forty patients were allocated, in order of visits, to two groups, 20 cases each. The treatment group received deep needling of and electroacupuncture at points Dubi and medial Xiyan and conventional acupuncture at points Heding(Ex-LE2), Yanglingquan(GB34) and Zusanli(ST36). The control group received electroacupuncture at points Dubi and medial Xiyan and conventional acupuncture at the above other points. Both groups were treated three times a week, two weeks as a course. Knee joint function was assessed using the Lysholm Knee Scoring Scale before and after treatment. Result There were no statistically significant pre-treatment differences in various indices between the two groups(P>0.05), indicating comparability. Various index scores increased in different degrees in both groups after treatment compared with before. There were statistically significant pre-/post-treatment differences in the three(pain, flaccid leg and climbing stairs) index scores in the treatment group(P<0.05) and significant post-treatment differences in two indices flaccid leg and knee pain compared with the control group(P<0.05). Conclusion Deep needling of bilateral points Dubi and Medial Xiyan has a quicker analgesic effect on knee osteoarthritis and its effect is better than that of conventional acupuncture.