Objective To observe the difference of therapeutic effect between hysteretic acupuncture and Celecoxib capsules for knee osteoarthritis(KOA)

and to investigate their effects on levels of interleukin 6(IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor α(TNF-α) in articular fluid. Methods Seventy-two patients with KOA were randomly divided into hysteretic acupuncture and me-dication groups

with 36 cases in each group. The patients of the hysteretic acupuncture group received hysteretic acupuncture stimulation at Dubi(ST35)

Neixiyan(EX-LE4)

Zusanli(ST36)

Yanglingquan(GB34)

Yinlingquan(SP9)

Xuehai(SP10)

Liangqiu(ST34) and Heding(EX-LE2) as the main acupoints for 30 min once daily. The patients of the medication group received oral administration of Celecoxib capsules(200 mg) once daily. Both of the two groups were treated with 14 days as a course of treatment

with a 2-day rest between each course of treatment

and the treatments were conducted for 2 courses. The visual analogue scale(VAS) score of pain

Lequesne index score

IL-6 and TNF-α level in joint fluid and the change of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) syndrome score were observed before and after treatment. Results Compared with pre-treatment

the VAS score

Lequesne index score

IL-6 and TNF-α level

and total TCM syndrome score decreased significantly after treatment in both of the two groups(P<0.05). Hysteretic acupuncture was more effective in reducing VAS score

Lequesne index score

IL-6 and TNF-α level than Celecoxib capsules(P<0.05)

and there was no significant difference in total TCM syndrome score and total effective rate between the two groups(P>0.05). No adverse events occurred in both groups during the treatment. Conclusion Hysteretic acupuncture can effectively relieve pain symptoms and improve joint function in KOA patients. Its effect is comparable to that of oral administration of Celecoxib capsules.