ObjectiveTo study the clinical effect of the combination of glucosamine hydrochloride with exercise therapy and traditional Chinese medicine hot compress in the treatment of early patellofemoral osteoarthritis. MethodsA total of 126 patients with early patellofemoral osteoarthritis treated between June 2013 and April 2015 were divided into group A (n=43), B (n=42) and C (n=41) with the method of random number table. Oral administration of glucosamine hydrochloride tablets, exercise therapy of knee joints and traditional Chinese medicine hot compress were applied for the 43 patients in group A. Oral administration of glucosamine hydrochloride tablets and exercise therapy of knee joints were applied for the 42 patients in group B. Exercise therapy of knee joints and traditional Chinese medicine hot compress were applied for the 41 patients in group C. Chen's Scoring was applied before the treatment and 2, 4, 12 and 24 weeks after the treatment. ResultsThe differences of Chen's scores at the time points after treatment and those before treatment of the same group had statistical significance (P<0.05). The differences of Chen's scores at the time points after treatment in group A and those in group B and C had statistical significance (P<0.05). There were no obvious adverse effects due to administration of glucosamine hydrochloride tablets in group A and B. Five patients in group A and 4 patients in group C suffered from the symptoms of local erythema, light cutaneous pruritus and other contact dermatitis after traditional Chinese medicine hot compress. Those symptoms disappeared automatically several hours later without any special treatment. ConclusionThe treatment of early patellofemoral osteoarthritis by the combination of glucosamine hydrochloride tablets with exercise therapy and traditional Chinese medicine hot compress can rapidly relieve joint pain, and maintain efficacy for a long time.