Abstract

To figure out the effectiveness of chitosan intra-articular injection in conjunction with traditional Chinese medicine guidance therapy in treating knee osteoarthritis. Between October 2019 and May 2023, we conducted a randomized study involving 128 individuals with knee osteoarthritis who were treated at our hospital. These individuals were assigned to either the observation group or the control group. The control group received chitosan intra-articular injections, while the observation group received traditional Chinese medicine guidance therapy in addition to the control group's treatment. To evaluate the function and symptoms of the knee joint, multiple metrics were employed, including the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities osteoarthritis index score, visual analog scale, synovium thickness, and the distance covered in a 6 min walking test. The occurrence of adverse reactions was also monitored, and an assessment was conducted on the overall effectiveness rate in both study groups. A notable disparity was observed in the overall effectiveness rate between the observation group and the control group, with the observation group displaying a significantly higher rate. Moreover, the outcomes of the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities osteoarthritis index score, visual analog scale score, and 6 min walking distance in the observation group were considerably better than those recorded in the control group. The observation group displayed a significant reduction in synovium thickness in the knee joint compared to the control group. Additionally, the occurrence of adverse reactions, including dizziness and headache, abdominal pain and diarrhea, red and swollen skin, as well as joint swelling, was significantly lower in the observation group as opposed to the control group. The utilization of chitosan intra-articular injection along with traditional Chinese medicine guidance therapy has proven to be an effective strategy for managing knee osteoarthritis. This comprehensive treatment approach not only yields a significant improvement in the overall effectiveness rate but also enhances knee joint function while minimizing the occurrence of adverse reactions. It holds great promise and should be considered for broader adoption.