Safety and Efficacy Study of Bee Venom to Treat Knee Osteoarthritis

Inclusion Criteria: Meet clinical criteria for Osteoarthritis in one knee Morning stiffness less than 30 minutes duration VAS pain level of 4 to 8 on a 0 to 10 scale when walking Older than 35 years of age On a stable dose of medication or none at all due to intolerance Ability to tolerate Acetaminophen as their only pain medication for the entire study Ability to read, understand, and give informed consent and sign the informed consent form Exclusion Criteria: Allergy to bee venom or histamine Allergy to Lidocaine Any type of inflammatory arthritis such as RA, SLE, Psoriatic Fibromyalgia or any pain problem that requires the use of pain medication or anti-inflammatory Depression or any condition that interferes with memory or critical analysis History of prolotherapy, bee venom therapy, or injection of hyaluronic acid or cortisone within the last 3 months Osteoarthritis of the hip, ankle, or any condition that interferes with walking 50 ft. or up and down stairs Elevated CRP, SED rate Recent injury to the knee which is causing pain or functional problems Any previous invasive procedure on the study knee Inability to understand the informed consent form or refusal to sign it Cardiac disease interfering with ability to get epinephrine VAS pain level greater than 8 on a 0 to 10 scale when walking Inability to stop anti-inflammatory medication for the entire study and use only Acetaminophen Taking beta blockers Taking chronic anti-histamines