Evaluation of the Efficacy of Pricking-cupping Bloodletting Method plus Glucosamine Hydrochloride in Treating Knee Osteoarthritis

Objective To investigate the efficacy of pricking-cupping bloodletting method plus glucosamine hydrochloride capsules in treating knee osteoarthritis. Method Sixty-six patients with knee osteoarthritis were randomly allocated, according to X-ray grading and pairing, to an experiment group of 32 cases and a control group of 34 cases. Both groups of subjects took glucosamine hydrochloride capsules. The experiment group received pricking-cupping bloodletting therapy in addition. The Lequesne index score was counted before and after treatment. The Lequesne index scores were averaged for a t-test. Result Of the 31 patients of the experiment group, 30 obtained effective improvements in symptoms and signs such as pain, tenderness, swelling, morning stiffness and walking ability, with a total efficacy rate of 96.8%(30/31). A t-test showed a statistically significant posttreatment difference in the mean Lequesne index score between the two groups(P0.001). Conclusion Pricking-cupping bloodletting therapy can promote the absorption and utilization of glucosamine hydrochloride and is an effective way to improve the symptoms of knee osteoarthritis.