Clinical observation of Xi Sanzang Decoction concomitant with auricular-plaster therapy using magnetic beads in treatment of knee osteoarthritis due to deficiency of liver and kidney

Objective: To explore the clinical efficacy of Xi Sanzang Decoction concomitant with auricular-plaster therapy using magnetic beads in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis (KOA) due to deficiency of liver and kidney. Methods: A total of 60 patients with KOA due to deficiency of liver and kidney who were admitted to No. 1 Department of Orthopedics in Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine of Guangdong Province from June 2019 to June 2021 were selected as the study subjects and randomized into treatment group and control group based on simple random number table, 30 cases in each group. Treatment group received oral administration of Xi Sanzang Decoction concomitant with auricular-plaster therapy using magnetic beads, while control group received Imrecoxib Tablets. Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index (WOMAC) and Lysholm and ROM knee score scale before and after treatment, clinical efficacy after treatment, and the recurrence rate one month after treatment discontinuation were compared between two groups 4 weeks later. Results: After treatment, the overall response rate was 96.66% in treatment group, evidently higher than the 86.66% in control group, and there was significant difference (P<0.01). After treatment, VAS score, stiffness score, ADL score and WOMAC total score decreased notably after treatment in both groups (P<0.01), which decreased more significantly in treatment group than those in control group (P<0.05). After treatment, ROM score and Lysholm score increased prominently after treatment in both groups (P<0.01), which increased more significantly in treatment group than those in control group (P<0.05). Treatment group was markedly lower than control group in the recurrence rate one month after drug discontinuation, and there was significant difference (P<0.05). Conclusion: Xi Sanzang Decoction concomitant with auricular-plaster therapy using magnetic beads for the treatment of KOA due to deficiency of liver and kidney has certain efficacy and can improve the knee function and mobility and control medical condition with good safety.