| Objective: To study the effects of thunder fire moxibustion combined with isokinetic and proprioception training on the function of quadriceps femoris muscle and serum matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) in patients with knee osteoarthritis (KOA). Methods: A total of 98 KOA patients who received treatment in our hospital from August 2019 to July 2021 were selected and divided into groups using a random number table method. The control group (49 cases) received Western medicine combined with isokinetic proprioceptive training, and the study group (49 cases) received thunder fire moxibustion combined with isokinetic proprioceptive training. The clinical efficacy, pain degree, condition change, knee joint function, quadriceps femoris muscle function, inflammatory reaction, serum MMP-3 and MMP-9 levels were compared between the two groups. Results: The total effective rate in the study group (95.92%) was higher than that in the control group (81.63%) (P<0.05). After treatment, VAS, WOMAC scores, and serum levels of IL-1, IL-6, TNF-α, MMP-3 and MMP-9 were significantly decreased, and LKSS score, STW, PT, and AP significantly increased (P<0.05). The scores of VAS and WOMAC, and serum levels of IL-1, IL-6, TNF-α, MMP-3 and MMP-9 in the study group were lower than those in the control group, and the LKSS score, STW, PT, and AP were higher in the study group than in the control group (P<0.05). Conclusion: Thunder fire moxibustion combined with isokinetic and proprioception training has a definite therapeutic effect on KOA, which can effectively improve the function of patients’ quadriceps femoris muscle and knee joint, reduce the degree of pain, promote the improvement of the condition, decrease inflammatory reaction, and regulate the levels of serum MMP-3 and MMP-9. |
