Effectiveness of pharmacopuncture by “alloplant” biomaterial in complex therapy of knee joint osteoarthritis

Abstract

Background. Osteoarthritis is characterized by a decrease in the quality of life, which is currently considered as the main measure of well-being of an individual and a criterion for the effectiveness of treatment and rehabilitation measures. Modern research emphasizes the need for an integrated approach to the treatment of osteoarthritis, which should include pharmacological and non-drug methods of treatment. Aim. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of pharmacopuncture administration of Alloplant biomaterial by patients with osteoarthritis of the knee joint from the standpoint of influencing the immunological mechanisms of the disease. Methods. The randomization methodology was divided into 3 groups, comparable in terms of clinical and functional characteristics. Group I patients (n = 39) have standard basic drug therapy according to the federal clinical guidelines “Osteoarthritis” approved by the Association of Rheumatologists of Russia (2013), with additions from 2016; in patients of group II (n = 39), in addition to drug therapy, dispersed Alloplant biomaterial was used according to the original method; group III patients (n = 39) against the background of basic drug therapy are additionally prescribed a combination of dispersed Alloplant biomaterial at biologically active points and magnetic therapy with a pulsed magnetic field. Results. Against the background of the treatment of patients with osteoarthritis using pharmacopuncture with Alloplant biomaterial and magnetotherapy, there was a positive dynamics in clinical data with a significant decrease in pain intensity when walking and at rest, stiffness, with the restoration of immune status parameters and an improvement in the quality of life in the field of physical and psychological health . A more pronounced and lasting positive dynamics was observed in patients of group III against the background of the combined effects of pharmacopuncture with Alloplant biomaterial and magnetotherapy. Conclusion. The Alloplant biomaterial has a positive effect in the treatment of patients with stage I–II osteoarthritis according to the Kellgren–Lawrens classification. The similarity of the mechanism of action with drugs with a structurally modifying effect on cartilage allows us to recommend pharmacopuncture with Alloplant biomaterial for widespread use in the treatment of osteoarthritis.