Hip Arthritis - Blood Stasis Pattern

Dr. Li Wei, DACM

Hip Arthritis · Blood Stasis Pattern

Updated: June 23, 2026

Reviewed by: Dr. Li Wei, DACM

Reading Time: 6 min

Body Area: Hip

Pattern Overview

Blood Stasis is a serious pattern in hip arthritis, characterized by avascular necrosis, sharp fixed pain, and aggravation at night. The core pathogenesis is severe stasis of blood in the hip joint, leading to impaired blood supply, bone ischemia, and progressive joint destruction.

Key Symptoms and Differentiation Points

| Differentiation Dimension | Manifestations |

| :— | :— |

| Primary Symptoms | Sharp, stabbing pain in the hip, fixed location, worse at night |

| Associated Symptoms | Limited hip movement, limping, progressive joint damage |

| Tongue and Pulse | Purple-dark tongue with petechiae, thin white coating, hesitant pulse |

| Pathogenesis | Blood stasis leading to avascular necrosis of the hip joint |

| Etiology | Long-term steroid use, alcoholism, trauma, sickle cell disease |

Acupuncture Point Prescription

| Point | Location | Function |

| :— | :— | :— |

| GB30 Huantiao | Midpoint between sacral hiatus and greater trochanter | Master point for hip pain; on the Gallbladder meridian |

| BL54 Zhibian | 3 cun lateral to the sacral hiatus | Treats hip and lower back pain |

| SP10 Xuehai | On the medial thigh, 2 cun above the patella | Invigorates blood and resolves stasis |

| Ashi points | Tender spots around the hip joint | Local blood invigoration and pain relief |

Clinical Recommendation: Filiform needle, reducing method; cupping at Ashi points may be used to enhance blood stasis resolution.

Herbal Formula

Base Formula: Tao Hong Si Wu Tang (桃红四物汤)

Composition:

Peach Kernel (Tao Ren), Safflower (Hong Hua), Angelica (Dang Gui), Chuanxiong (Chuan Xiong), Red Peony (Chi Shao), Rehmannia (Sheng Di)

Action: Invigorates blood, resolves stasis, nourishes blood, and relieves pain.

Modifications

| Associated Symptoms | Additions/Subtractions |

| :— | :— |

| Severe pain | Add Ru Xiang, Mo Yao to relieve pain |

| Bone necrosis | Add Gu Sui Bu, Niu Xi to nourish bones |

| Weakness | Add Huang Qi, Dang Shen to supplement Qi |

Western Mechanism Reference

Avascular necrosis with impaired blood supply, bone ischemia, and progressive joint destruction. Blood Stasis corresponds to avascular necrosis of the femoral head, where compromised blood supply leads to bone death and joint collapse.

References

  1. Textbook Standard.

  2. WHO. (2023). Musculoskeletal pain. World Health Organization.

Explore More

  • Find your solution at MendGod.com – Personalized herbal protocols and acupressure tools for hip pain relief.

  • Deepen your knowledge at TcmCIO.com – Full research papers and clinical case studies on TCM arthritis health.