Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of silver needle heat conduction therapy combined with loxoprofen sodium patch in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis(KOA). Methods A total of ninety-two patients with KOA were randomly and equally divided into loxoprofen sodium group and silver needle heat conduction therapy + loxoprofen sodium(combination) group

with 46 cases in each group. Patients of the combination group were treated with silver needle heat conduction therapy combined with loxoprofen sodium patch

while those of the loxoprofen sodium group were treated with loxoprofen sodium patch. The treatment was conducted for 4 weeks. The Western Ontario McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index(WOMAC)

bone metabolism index [including bone gla protein(BGP)

bone-specific alkaline phosphatase(BALP)

tartrate resistant acid phosphatase isomer(TRACP)-5 b]

and inflammation factors [including the tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)

transforming growth factor-β(TGF-β)

interleukin-1β(IL-1β)] were observed before and after treatment. The therapeutic effect was assessed after the treatment. Results After the treatment

the total scores of WOMAC

the levels of serum TRACP-5 b

TNF-α and IL-1β were significantly decreased(P<0.01)

while the levels of serum BGP

BALP

and TGF-β were significantly increased(P<0.01) in the two groups compared with their own pre-treatment. Silver needle plus loxoprofen sodium was more effective in reducing WOMAC score

TRACP-5 b

TNF-α

IL-1β level(P<0.01)

and up-regulating BGP

BALP

and TGF-β level(P<0.01) than loxoprofen. Of the 46 cases in the loxoprofen sodium and combination groups

33 and 41 were effective

with the effective rate being 71.7% and 89.1%

respectively. The comprehensive therapeutic effect of the combination group was significantly superior to that of the loxoprofen group(P<0.05). Conclusion Silver needle heat conduction therapy combined with loxoprofen sodium can effectively treat KOA

its mechanism may be related to alleviating inflammation and improving bone metabolism.