Abstract
PURPOSE: The oblique round-edged needle therapy based on the traditional Chinese medicine theory of "muscle bone balance" is beneficial for KOA. This study observed the behavior of KOA model rats, the structure of rectus femoris muscle and cartilage, and demonstrated that oblique round-edged needle therapy protects the knee joint and alleviates the progression of KOA by relaxing the tendons and muscles around the knee joint. ANIMALS AND METHODS: The model used is papain induced KOA in the left hind limb of rats. The rats were divided into a normal group, a model group, an electroacupuncture group, and an oblique round-edged needle group, and each group received 3 weeks of treatment. We evaluated the LequesneMG score and range of motion of the knee joint. Slices of rectus femoris muscle and articular cartilage were stained with hematoxylin-eosin. RESULTS: Compared with the model group and the electroacupuncture group, the LequesneMG behavioral score and passive range of motion of the knee joint were higher in the oblique round-edged needle group, while the Mankin score of the cartilage was lower. CONCLUSION: The oblique round-edged needle improved the LequesneMG score and joint mobility of KOA rats, reducing damage to cartilage structure and delaying the progression of KOA by minimizing rectus femoris muscle injury.