Relationship Between Traditional and Complementary Medicine Use and Pain Severity in Patients with Knee Pain: A Cross-Sectional Study

Aim: The use of traditional and complementary medicine (TCM) is common among patients with musculoskeletal complaints. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of TCM use among patients presenting with knee pain and to investigate its relationship with pain severity.Material and Methods: This cross-sectional study included 150 adult patients who presented with knee pain to an orthopedic outpatient clinic between March 1 and April 1, 2026. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire including demographic characteristics, clinical features, and TCM use. Pain severity was assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS). Patients were divided into TCM users and non-users. Statistical analyses were performed using non-parametric tests and multivariable logistic regression.Results: A total of 23 patients (15.3%) reported using TCM products. There were no significant differences between TCM users and non-users in terms of demographic and clinical characteristics. However, VAS scores were significantly higher in TCM users compared to non-users (p = 0.001). Logistic regression analysis showed that higher pain severity was independently associated with TCM use (OR: 1.269, 95% CI: 1.068–1.509, p = 0.007). Among TCM users, a statistically significant shift toward lower pain scores was observed after TCM use (p = 0.003), although most patients reported only partial benefit. The most commonly used products were herbal and natural compounds, often applied in combination.Conclusion: TCM use among patients with knee pain was associated with higher pain severity. However, because of the cross-sectional design, no causal relationship can be inferred between pain severity and TCM use. Although a significant shift toward lower pain scores was observed among TCM users, the perceived benefit was generally partial. These findings highlight the importance of physician awareness regarding TCM use in routine clinical practice.