Abstract:Objective To explore the clinical effect of semiconductor laser irradiation combined with intraarticular injection of tetramethylpyrazine in the patients with knee joint osteoarthritis. Methods A total of 72 patients with knee joint osteoarthritis meeting the inclusion criteria were randomly divided into three groups using a random number generator of SPSS 19.0: a semiconductor laser irradiation group (group A), a tetramethylpyrazine intraarticular injection group (group B) and a combination group (group C). The period of treatment in each group was 4 weeks. The function and pain of the knee joints after treatment were assessed by Lysholm score and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) respectively. Then, the range of motion (ROM) of the knee joints and remission after treatment were evaluated by professional rehabilitation therapists, and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HAD) and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) were performed to evaluate the emotion and sleep quality of included patients. All radiographic measurements were obtained from true long-standing anteroposterior and femoral lateral radiographs. Results The total effective rate of the three groups were 83.3%, 73.1% and 93.1% respectively. The VAS score, ROM and functional score of the knee joints in all the patients after treatment were significantly improved in comparison with the baseline condition. The VAS score, ROM, functional score of the knee joints, PSQI, HAD-A and HAD-B scores were not significantly different between the groups A and B (P > 0.05). Compared with the groups A and B, the VAS score, functional score of the knee joints, PSQI, HAD-A and HAD-B scores were significantly decreased while ROM was increased in the group C (P < 0.05). The measured parameters by radiographs were not significantly different between the groups A and B (P > 0.05), but these parameters in the group C were decreased compared to those in the groups A and B (P < 0.05). The femoral length and incidence of local swelling and pain, damage of irradiation site and anaphylactic reaction were not significantly different among the 3 groups (P > 0.05). Conclusions Semiconductor laser irradiation combined with intra-articular injection of tetramethylpyrazine can effectively ameliorate the pain of the patients with knee joint osteoarthritis, improve the recovery of knee joint function, sleep quality and motion.