| Objective To investigate the therapeutic effect of combining warm needle acupuncture with meridian tendon manipulation on patients with knee osteoarthritis (KOA). Methods Eighty KOA patients admitted to our hospital between June 2023 and June 2024 were randomly allocated into two groups. Patients in the control group received warm acupuncture and moxibustion, and those in the observation group received warm acupuncture and moxibustion plus meridian manipulation for for four weeks. The total score of TCM syndromes, pain score (VAS), osteoarthritis index (WOMAC), inflammatory indexes [C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin -6(IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor -α (TNF-α)], knee joint mobility, and total effective rate and safety of treatment were observed and compared between the two groups. Results After the 4-week treatment period, statistically significant improvements (P<0.05) were observed across all measured parameters in both groups. These included declines in TCM syndrome scores, VAS scores, WOMAC dimensions (pain, stiffness and physical function) and total score, and inflammatory biomarkers (CRP, IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α). The magnitude of these reductions was significantly greater in the observation group than in controls (P<0.05). Furthermore, while active and passive joint range of motion increased in both groups (P<0.05), the observation group achieved superior gains (P<0.05). Radiographic measurements also favored the observation group, showing significantly smaller joint extension, tibial, and posterior tibial plateau tilt angles (P<0.05). The overall clinical effectiveness rate was 92.5% for the observation group, significantly outperforming that of 72.5% in the control group (P<0.05). During the treatment, no adverse events related to this treatment occurred in both groups. Conclusion Warm acupuncture and moxibustion combined with tendon manipulation has a significant effect on KOA, which alleviates the pain and other discomfort symptoms of knee joints, inhibits local inflammatory reaction, and helps to promote joint function recovery. |