Leeches for the Treatment of Knee Osteoarthritis
Leeches for the Treatment of Knee Osteoarthritis
Previous studies have not addressed the question, whether or not a repeated leeching can
 supply symptomatic relief of osteoarthritic pain for extended periods of time. We present a
 randomized study to the effectiveness of single and repeated leech therapy in cases with
 advanced osteoarthritis of the knee using a large patient group compared to a control group,
 who were both blinded to the actual treatment modality.
Inclusion Criteria:

 -  Osteoarthritis of the knee

 -  Persistent osteoarthritic symptoms for at least 6 months

 -  Radiographic evidence of late stage osteoarthritis of the knee (stage III-IV)

 -  History of conservative management including pain medication and physical therapy

 Exclusion Criteria:

 -  Anticoagulant treatment or history of hemophilia

 -  History or presence of rheumatic diseases leading to secondary osteoarthritis

 -  Presence of hematological, hepatic, renal or immunological disease

 -  Insulin-dependant diabetes mellitus

 -  Intraarticular injections or systemic application of corticosteroids during the 3
 preceding months

 -  History of surgery of the affected knee during the last 3 months or joint replacement

 -  History of previous leech therapy

 -  Lack of informed consent