Pain & Musculoskeletalxīguānjié téngtòng

Knee Pain

Also called:Knee acheKnee joint painSore knees

From the TCM perspective: TCM 'xi bi' / 'gu bi'; the knee is the mansion of sinews, related to liver, kidney, spleen and stomach.

Overview

Knee pain is aching, swelling, restricted flexion/extension or clicking of the knee. It belongs to TCM 'bi syndrome' / 'bone bi'; the Suwen says wind, cold and damp arriving together form bi. Patterns also include liver-kidney insufficiency and blood stasis.

☯Common patterns (syndrome differentiation)

Wind-cold-damp bi

Key distinguishing signs: Cold heavy knee pain with restricted movement, worse with cold and better with warmth, sometimes swelling, white coat, wiry tight pulse.
Treatment principle: Dispel wind-cold, warm channels and drain dampness

Wind-damp-heat bi

Key distinguishing signs: Red, hot, swollen, exquisitely tender joint with restricted movement, possibly fever and thirst, red tongue with yellow greasy coat, slippery rapid pulse.
Treatment principle: Clear heat, free collaterals and dispel wind-damp

Liver-kidney insufficiency

Key distinguishing signs: Dull recurrent knee pain with sore weak lower back and knees, worse after exertion, sometimes dizziness and tinnitus, pale tongue, fine weak pulse.
Treatment principle: Tonify liver-kidney and strengthen sinew-bone

Blood stasis obstruction

Key distinguishing signs: Fixed stabbing pain with restricted movement, possible injury history or local bruising/swelling, dark tongue with stasis dots, choppy pulse.
Treatment principle: Quicken blood, transform stasis and free collaterals

Daily self-care

Manage weight and reduce repeated stair climbing, deep squats and hiking that overload the knee.
Keep knees warm; in acute flare rest and elevate the limb; after relief train the quadriceps isometrically.
Wear cushioned footwear; a red-hot swollen joint or post-injury deformity/inability to bear weight needs care.

When to seek medical help

The following warning signs require prompt medical evaluation — do not rely on self-treatment:

Markedly red, hot, swollen painful joint with fever: prompt care (rule out infection or acute gout).
Major swelling, deformity, inability to bear weight or locking after injury: urgent assessment.
Constant night pain, unexplained weight loss or multiple-joint/systemic symptoms: seek evaluation.

Medical disclaimer: Educational content about traditional Chinese medicine for information only; it is not a diagnosis or treatment and does not replace a qualified clinician. If symptoms worsen or warning signs appear, seek medical care.

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