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Knee Osteoarthritis

A degenerative joint disease characterized by destruction of the articular cartilage of synovial joint, osteoarthritis is one of the debilitating diseases that can lead to significant decline in the quality of life.

Osteoarthritis is the commonest form of joint inflammation and mostly affects the small joints of the hands, the knee, and the hip joints.

Many risk factors have been linked to the development of osteoarthritis, these include:
ageing, obesity, previous injury to the joint, family history of osteoarthritis, etc

Common features of osteoarthritis:

  • Pain
  • Swelling
  • Warmth
  • Reduced range of movement across the affected joint

Traditional Treatment

Treatment of knee osteoarthritis has traditionally been with the use of analgesic/anti-inflammatory drugs, intra-articular injection of corticosteroid, modification of risk factors, and lastly surgical interventions.

However, each of these treatment modalities come with its own demerit and some of the surgical interventions are not readily accessible.


Traditional Chinese Medicine and acupuncture

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and acupuncture have been in use for the treatment of knee osteoarthritis for hundreds of years and the results have shown significant advantages over the use of analgesic/anti-inflammatory drugs. These herbal medicines have been found to significantly reduce the pain of osteoarthritis, halt/slow down the progression of the disease, prevent disability and thus, improve the patients’ quality of life. TCM also provides a long lasting effect as compared to the short term relief offered by the analgesics.

Why is Chinese method better?

One of the major side effects of analgesic/anti-inflammatory drugs used for the treatment of osteoarthritis is the induction/exacerbation of acid peptic disease but in contrast, traditional Chinese medicines have been found to be free from this adverse effect. Also due to its effect in slowing down the progression of the disease and preventing disability, TCM reduces the need for surgical intervention in patients suffering from knee arthritis.

The use of TCM and acupuncture for the treatment of knee osteoarthritis will go a long way in reducing patients’ suffering, protecting them from side effects of analgesics and significantly improving their quality of life.


Periosteal stimulation

Periosteal stimulation is another treatment modality in the management of knee osteoarthritis that offers to ameliorate the pain and improve the patient’s quality of life. This is a special type of treatment that involves the use of acupuncture needle to deliver electrical stimulation to the periosteum. The periosteum is the connective tissue sheet that covers the bone except the part that is involved in joint formation.

Study casesA study was conducted at Veterans Administration Pittsburgh Healthcare System (VAPHS). This was to determine the efficacy of periosteal stimulation in the management of knee osteoarthritis. About 190 people above the age of 50years with pain from knee osteoarthritis participated in the study. A reduction in the severity of pain was noticed among those that had periosteal stimulation. The therapy was found to be well tolerated with 40% chance of initial clinical response. They also found that this response could be maintained for at least 6 months when booster stimulations are given.

Although more researches were recommended, the result of this study showed promising and potential benefits of periosteal stimulation in knee osteoarthritis.

Another Meta-Analysis was conducted with eight studies including a total of 1220 participants. Electrical stimulation of specific points around the knee showed significant improvement in pain, knee, joint function and quality of life.

 

Sunrise Neuro-Acupuncture Integrative Clinic is an acupuncture and Chinese medicine clinic in Westboro, Ottawa. We provide care for knee osteoarthritis. If you would like to receive more information about this treatment, you can call us at: 613-853-9099

References

1. Healthcmi.com. Acupuncture Beats Drugs For Knee Pain And Inflammation. 01 MARCH 2017

2. Weiner DK, Moore CG, Morone NE, Lee ES, Kent Kwoh C. Efficacy of periosteal stimulation for chronic pain associated with advanced knee osteoarthritis: a randomized, controlled clinical trial. Clin Ther. 2013 Nov;35(11):1703-20.e5. doi: 10.1016/j.clinthera.2013.09.025. Epub 2013 Nov 1. PubMed PMID: 24184053

3. Shim JW, Jung JY, Kim SS. Effects of Electroacupuncture for Knee Osteoarthritis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2016;2016:3485875. Epub 2016 Oct 13

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