Efficacy and safety of gyejigachulbutang (Gui-Zhi-Jia-Shu-Fu-Tang Keishikajutsubuto TJ-18) for knee pain in patients with degenerative knee osteoarthritis: a randomized placebo-controlled patient and assessor blinded clinical trial

摘要

BackgroundDegenerative knee osteoarthritis is a leading cause of disability in the elderly. If patients do not respond to pharmacological or nonpharmacological intervention, total knee replacement surgery is recommended. However, owing to the contraindications and adverse effects of surgery, the need for a new treatment strategy is emerging. Traditional herbal medicine is a widely used intervention in east Asia to treat knee osteoarthritis. Gyejigachulbutang is one of the frequently prescribed herbal formulae. The aim of our study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of gyejigachulbutang for knee osteoarthritis.