OBJECTIVES: The effectiveness of acupuncture treatment in patients with osteoarthritis of the hip was tested. DESIGN: This is a prospective, randomized, controlled patient and examiner blinded clinical trial. PATIENTS AND SETTING: The study was performed at a university department for physical medicine and rehabilitation. Sixty-seven patients were separated into two treatment groups. INTERVENTIONS: Group 1 (treatment) had traditional needle placement and manipulation, whereas in group 2 (control) needles were placed away from classic positions and not manipulated. In both groups needles were placed within the L2 to L5 dermatomes. Endpoints were pain (VAS), functional impairment (hip score), activity of daily living (ADL) and overall satisfaction before treatment, 2 weeks and 2 months post-intervention. RESULTS: For all endpoints there was a significant improvement in both groups 2 weeks and 2 months following treatment versus baseline, but no significant difference between the two treatment groups. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude from these results that needle placement in the area of the affected hip by itself improves symptoms of osteoarthritis. It appears to be less important to follow the rules of traditional acupuncture techniques.

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