Authors: Dandong Li , Dr. Xuhui Zhang , Linlin Li , Zhenzhen Ma , Feng Su , Tinghao Wang

Abstract

Background and Objective:  Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is a chronic degenerative disease characterized by pain, morning stiffness and swelling in the knee joints. And KOA is common in the elderly and seriously affects the exercise function and physical health of patients. This study aimed to explore the curative effects of patellar inward pushing method (PIPM) on KOA.

Methods:  In this study, we established rabbit animal models of KOA for the research by using the New Zealand white rabbits. A total of n=30 rabbits were divided into 5 groups by random number table method: blank group, model group, glucosamine hydrochloride (GH) group, PIPM group and PIPM combined with GH group. The rabbits were then modeled.

Results:  After 9-weeks cultured in groups, 5 ml blood was collected from the heart, and cytokines were detected. The result suggested that iNOS, NO and TNF-α were the pathogenic inflammatory factor of KOA, and aggravated cartilage damage and degeneration. Besides, this study indicated that PIPM combined with GH treatment significantly reduced the activity of inflammatory cytokines in serum and joint fluid of KOA models in rabbits. In addition, PIPM combined with GH therapy exhibited the best therapeutic effect among these treatments, which was working on KOA better than PIPM treatment alone or GH treatment alone.

Conclusion:  PIPM could effectively treat KOA via regulating cytokines, and the PIPM combined with GH therapy could be a novel therapeutic strategy for KOA.

Keywords: Patellar inward pushing, Knee osteoarthritis, Orthopaedic therapy, Cytokines