Leeches, phytotherapy and physiotherapy in osteo-arthrosis of the knee — a geriatric case study
Geriatric case study published in Forschende Komplementarmedizin (2008)
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Chronic pain is a serious problem for geriatric patients. Conventional pharmacotherapy with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or opiates is often accompanied by serious side effects. OBJECTIVES: An 87-year-old woman with severe joint pain due to osteoarthritis of the knee presented with side effects from fentanyl therapy. She was subsequently treated in an inpatient setting with leeches, phytotherapy, physiotherapy and three single doses of metamizol. DESIGN: Prospective single-case study. OUTCOME MEASURES: Pain reduction was assessed with a numeric rating scale (0-10; 0 = minimum; 10 = maximum), mobility by walking distance, and activities of daily living by Barthel index. The association between complementary therapy and the changes observed in the patient under treatment were evaluated using cognition-based medicine. RESULTS: Under complementary therapy, the patient experienced a clear reduction in pain (from 8 to 3 points on the numeric rating scale); regained the ability to walk (increase in walking distance from 0 to 70 m); and showed improvements in activities of daily living (increase in Barthel index from 45 to 65). An association between pain reduction and the complementary treatment setting seems likely. CONCLUSION: The role of complementary pain therapy in geriatric patients should be evaluated systematically.
Abstract sourced from PubMed (NCBI) for the cited record. See the original publication for the authoritative version.
Summary
Geriatric case series documenting integrative knee-OA management using leech therapy, phytotherapy and physiotherapy. Demonstrates feasibility, tolerability and symptomatic improvement in elderly patients.
Why This Matters for Hirudotherapy
This prospective single-case study describes an 87-year-old woman with severe osteoarthritis knee pain and fentanyl side effects who was treated in an inpatient setting with leeches, phytotherapy, physiotherapy, and three single doses of metamizol. Under this combined complementary therapy, the patient's pain decreased from 8 to 3 on a numeric rating scale, walking distance increased from 0 to 70 m, and the Barthel index improved from 45 to 65, with the authors noting that an association between pain reduction and the complementary treatment setting seems likely using cognition-based medicine. This report is directly relevant to ASH's domain as it involves live leech application for a painful musculoskeletal condition in a geriatric patient. **Caveat**: This is a single case report with a combined multimodal intervention, so the specific contribution of leeching cannot be isolated, and no control group or generalizability is possible.
Citation
Leeches, phytotherapy and physiotherapy in osteo-arthrosis of the knee — a geriatric case study.
Teut M et al. · Forschende Komplementarmedizin, 2008
Added to ASH library: May 27, 2026 · Site last updated: June 18, 2026