Observation indices
erythrocyte aggregation, tumor necrosis, TNF-α, KOA, pain
TUMOR NECROSIS
The degree of pain was assessed using the visual analogue scale (VAS) score before and after treatment, and the knee joint function was evaluated using the Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) knee score. The overall therapeutic effect was evaluated according to the therapeutic effect criteria for KOA developed by the Society of Acu-potomology, China Association of Chinese Medicine in 2008. Before and after treatment, 3-5 mL of joint fluid was drawn from each patient, and the levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), IL-6, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and matrix metalloproteinase-13 (MMP-13) were detected via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Besides, hemorheological indices (erythrocyte sedimentation rate, hematocrit, erythrocyte aggregation index, fibrinogen, plasma viscosity, low-shear whole blood viscosity and high-shear whole blood viscosity) were measured with a hemorheology instrument.