Clinical Study on Ultrasound-guided Acupuncture Combined with Ozone Intra-articular Injection for the Treatment of Knee Osteoarthritis

Objective To evaluate the efficacy of acupuncture combined with intra-articular ozone injection in treating of knee osteoarthritis (KOA). Methods: 90 patients with KOA, 43 males and 47 females, aged 45 ~ 70 years, with BMI of 20.5 ~ 27.9 kg/m², were selected. They were randomly divided into control group (Group C) and treatment group (group T), with 45 cases in each group. Group C: intra-articular injection of ozone; Group T: acupuncture combined with intra-articular ozone injection. Ozone treatment was performed once a week for 4 weeks; Acupuncture was performed once a day, six times a week, for 4 weeks. Record the score results of VAS/WOMAC pre-treatment, 1^st, 5^th, 12^th, 24^th, 48^thweeks post-treatment. SF-36 scores were recorded pre-treatment and 24^th and 48^th weeks post-treatment. Results In both groups, post-treatment VAS scores at 1^st, 5^th, 12^th, 24^th, 48^th week showed a significant reduction compared to pre-treatment scores (p < 0.001). The VAS score at post-treatment 1^st week was significantly lower in the treatment group compared to the control group (p < 0.001), but there was no significant difference between two groups starting from 5^th to 48^th week visit (p > 0.05). The WOMAC pain, stiffness, physical function, and total score indicated a significant reduction when compared to pre-treatment (p < 0.001). The WOMAC pain, stiffness, physical function was better in group T compared to the group C at the 1^st week (p < 0.001), but there was no significant difference between two groups starting from 5^th to 48^th week visit group (p > 0.05). Conclusion Acupuncture combined with intra-articular injection of ozone is better than intra-articular injection of ozone alone, with better pain control and faster improvement of joint function.