Abstract
BACKGROUND: Arthroscopy was used to observe the clinical effect of liver-softening medicine for treating knee osteoarthritis (OA). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty knee OA patients with cartilage classifications of Outerbridge grade II, III, or II plus III determined via arthroscopy were randomly assigned to a treatment of liver-softening medicine plus glucosamine or a control treatment of glucosamine alone. Clinical observation and determination of the comprehensive effect score were performed at 60, 120, and 180 days. A second arthroscopy was performed at 180 days. RESULTS: Signs and symptoms significantly improved at different time points in the treatment group. The effects in the treatment group were better than those in the control group. When analyzing the cartilage during the second arthroscopy, no further degeneration was observed. CONCLUSIONS: After arthroscopic debridement, the treatment of knee OA with liver-softening medicine in conjunction with glucosamine is a feasible and effective solution.