Observations on the Therapeutic Effect of Herbal Cake-separated Moxibustion on Knee Osteoarthritis of Blood Stasis Type

Objective To quantitatively and objectively investigate the therapeutic effect of herbal cake-separated moxibustion on knee osteoarthritis (KOA) of blood stasis type. Methods Seventy patients (98 knees in total) diagnosed with KOA of blood stasis type were randomly allocated to treatment and control groups. The treatment group received notoginseng cake-separated moxibustion once daily, 10 times as a course, for two consecutive courses and the control group took Diclofenac Sodium sustained-release tablets 75 mg once daily, for 20 consecutive days. Knee symptom and sign score was counted before and after treatment. The scores were compared to evaluate the therapeutic effects. Results There were statistically significant differences in overall and long-term therapeutic effects between the treatment and control groups (P0.05). The effect was better in the treatment group than in the control group. There was no significant post-treatment difference in pain marks between the two groups (P0.05). Conclusion Notoginseng cake-separated moxibustion has a positive therapeutic effect on KOA of blood stasis type. Its overall and long-term therapeutic effects were both superior to those of the western drug in the control group. It is an effective way to prevent and treat KOA.