Combination of Gukang Capsule and Vitamin D2 Accelerates the Recovery of Knee Function in Elderly Patients with Knee Osteoarthritis

Abstract

This study assessed the effectiveness of the combined use of the Gukang capsule and vitamin D2 for treating elderly patients with knee osteoarthritis. A total of 126 patients admitted to the Second Hospital of Tangshan between March 2021 and March 2023 were recruited. All patients were treated with loxoprofen sodium tablets. Additionally, group 1 was treated with a vitamin D2 soft capsule, group 2 with a Gukang capsule, and group 3 with a vitamin D2 soft capsule+Gukang capsule. The total effective rate in group 3 (95.23%) was significantly higher compared to groups 1 and 2 (76.19% and 73.80%, respectively; P < 0.05). After treatment, the visual analogue scale score, inflammation level, and levels of cartilage metabolic factors in group 3 were significantly lower compared to groups 1 and 2 (P < 0.05). After treatment, the Hospital for Special Surgery and Lysholm scores were elevated in all three groups, and those in group 3 were significantly higher than those in groups 1 and 2 (P < 0.05). There was no difference in the incidence of adverse reactions among the three groups (P > 0.05).Overall, Gukang capsule + vitamin D2 can reduce inflammation, improve cartilage metabolism, accelerate knee function recovery, and improve the clinical effect in elderly patients with knee osteoarthritis.