Study on the effect of mud on YKL-40 values in knee arthritis

44 people diagnosed with knee osteoarthritis took part in a two-week study to determine the effectiveness of mud treatments on knee osteoarthritis and to find outwhether the mud packs have an effect on serum YKL-40 and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP). These are considered biological markers for inflammation in knee osteoarthritis patients.

The participants were divided into two groups: One group received the mud packs on their knees, the other group was given hot packs. The treatments were applied six times a week, so that the patients had twelve sessions by the end of the study. The examinations took place during the study. The patients were examined again three and six months after the study.

Pain relief and a reduction in stiffness had occurred in both groups, but both sera were elevated. A further three months later, a strong increase in the YKL-40 serum was observed in the hot packs group. The maintenance of YKL-40 in the mud therapy group indicates that the progression of knee osteoarthritis is slowing down. The hsCRP showed no changes during the entire study.