Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Acupuncture in the Treatment of Knee Osteoarthritis: A Case Study

Abstract

Background: Osteoarthritis is a widespread chronic disease seen as a continuum of clinical occurrences within several phases, which go from synovial inflammation and microscopic changes of bone and cartilage to painful destructive changes of all the joint structures. Being the most common joint disease, it is the leading cause of disability in working individuals above 50 years of age. In some cases, conventional treatments produce just a mild and brief pain reduction and have considerable side-effects. Contemporary Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is a model of systems biology based on a logically accessible theoretical background. It integrates several therapeutic approaches, among them acupuncture, which has shown effective results in the treatment of knee and hip osteoarthritis, minimizing pain, improving functionality and consequently leading to a better quality of life. Methods: The present case study included two patients with clinical signs of osteoarthritis and diagnosis of medial pain, as defined by the Heidelberg Model of TCM. Over 6 weeks, those patients were treated with acupuncture, with a frequency of one session a week. The sessions lasted for thirty minutes and were based on the needling of 4 local acupoints. Before and after each session, pain and mobility assessments were performed. Results: The results were positive, with significant reduction of pain and increased knee joint flexion amplitude and mobility. Conclusion: Acupuncture was effective as an alternative or complementary treatment of knee osteoarthritis, with high levels of improvement within a modest intervention period.

Bibliometric Analysis of Traditional Chinese Medicine Scientific Production between 1982 and 2016 Indexed in PubMed

“…It is driven by a unique theoretical paradigm with key concepts and theories such as the Yin/Yang , the “Five Elements”, the elemental substances Qi , Xue , and Jin Ye , as well as the approach to differential diagnosis of syndromes. Treatment methodology may include the combined or standalone use of acupuncture; moxibustion; Chinese pharmacotherapy; Chinese manual therapy, known as Tuina ; and traditional biofeedback exercises such as Qigong and Tai Chi [ 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 ].…”

Naringin and bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells repair articular cartilage defects in rabbit knees through the transforming growth factor‑β superfamily signaling pathway

“…In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis is thought to involve liver and kidney deficiencies, as well as malnutrition of the muscles and bones (11)(12)(13). Drynaria fortunei is a commonly used treatment in TCM which is thought to benefit the liver and kidneys, strengthen tendons and bones and target the key treatment points of osteoarthritis.…”

Introduction to the Medicines Special Issue on Acupuncture—Basic Research and Clinical Application

“…Two case reports are also available [ 10 , 11 ]. Osteoarthritis is a widespread chronic disease seen as a continuum of clinical occurrences within several phases, which go from synovial inflammation and microscopic changes of bone and cartilage to painful destructive changes of all the joint structures.…”

“…Osteoarthritis is a widespread chronic disease seen as a continuum of clinical occurrences within several phases, which go from synovial inflammation and microscopic changes of bone and cartilage to painful destructive changes of all the joint structures. The first case study [ 10 ] included two patients with clinical signs of osteoarthritis and diagnosis of medial pain. The results were positive, acupuncture was effective as an alternative or complementary treatment of knee osteoarthritis, with high levels of improvement within a modest intervention period.…”