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Objectives: The objectives of this study were to identify the mean safe needling depth and angle at BL40 between subjects, taking into account variables including sex and body mass index (BMI). Methods: One hundred and twenty-four participants who had undergone magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examination of the knee region for clinical indications were included in this study. BL40 needling sites were localized by World Health Organization (WHO) standards and were measured by MRI. As much as 70% of the value of AN (from the needle insertion point to the popliteal artery) was considered to represent the safe depth, and angle alpha between the BL40 straight line and the AN line was regarded as the safe angle. Results: Overall, mean safe depth regardless of BMI and sex was 18.51 ± 3.56 mm (95% confidence interval (CI), 17.88%–19.14%). Mean safe depth was 17.24 ± 3.14 mm in the low and normal BMI group, 18.76 ± 2.90 mm in the overweight group, and 22.01 ± 3.71 mm in the obese group. Thirteen patients (10.5%) had internal deviation of angle alpha (95% CI, 5.6%–15.3%), while 111 patients (89.5%) had external deviation (95% CI, 84.7%–94.4%). The mean internal and external deviations of angle alpha were 8.78° ± 2.92° (95% CI, 7.01°–10.55°) and 9.75° ± 3.46° (95% CI, 9.10°–10.41°), respectively. Conclusion: We would suggest that, when using a straight needle insertion at BL40, it is safe to advance a 25-mm needle approximately 12.5 mm, and 17.5 mm should be safe for patients with BMI greater than 28 kg/m2. Practitioners should decrease the depth of penetration when treating patients of low body weight or height. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To verify the clinical effect of acupuncture on knee osteoarthritis (KOA)., Methods: Forty-two patients with KOA were randomly divided into an acupuncture group (21 cases, 1 case dropped off) and a sham acupuncture group (21 cases, 1 case dropped off). The patients in the acupuncture group were treated with routine acupuncture at 5-6 local acupoints [Dubi (ST 35), Neixiyan (EX-LE 4), Heding (EX-LE 2), Yinlingquan (SP 9), Xuehai (SP 10), Zusanli (ST 36), etc.] and 3-4 distal acupoints [Fengshi (GB 31), Waiqiu (GB 36), Xuanzhong (GB 39), Zulinqi (GB 41), etc.]. The patients in the sham acupuncture group were treated with shallow needling technique at non-acupoint. The needles were retained for 30 min in both groups. All the treatment was given three times a week for 8 weeks. Knee injury and osteoarthritis outcome score (KOOS) were recorded before and after treatment and 18-week follow-up., Results: Compared before treatment, the scores of 5 dimensions of KOOS [pain, symptoms (except pain), daily activities, sports and entertainment, and quality of life] were increased after treatment and during follow-up in the two groups ( P <0.05), and the scores of pain and daily activities in the acupuncture group were higher than those in the sham acupuncture group ( P <0.05)., Conclusion: Acupuncture can reduce the pain symptoms and improve daily activities in patients with KOA.