Drug and Therapeutics Bulletin 2007;45:76-79; doi:10.1136/dtb.2007.09.0016
Copyright © 2007 by the BMJ Publishing Group Ltd.

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Acupuncture for osteoarthritis of the knee

About 10% of people aged over 55 years in the UK report having some restriction of daily activity because of knee osteoarthritis, around 25% of whom are severely disabled.¹ Every year, symptomatic knee osteoarthritis accounts for about 0.5% of all primary care consultations in those over 55 years, rising to 1% in those over 70 years.¹ Acupuncture is increasingly being used within the NHS, particularly for painful conditions such as osteoarthritis,^2,3 but its place within mainstream healthcare remains controversial. Here we examine what, if anything, acupuncture offers in the management of patients with osteoarthritis of the knee.