Knee Osteoarthritis - Blood Stasis Pattern

Dr. Li Wei, DACM

Knee Osteoarthritis · Blood Stasis Pattern

Updated: June 23, 2026

Reviewed by: Dr. Li Wei, DACM

Reading Time: 6 min

Body Area: Knee

Pattern Overview

Blood Stasis is a chronic pattern in knee osteoarthritis, characterized by bone remodeling with osteophytes, sharp fixed pain, and aggravation at night. The core pathogenesis is prolonged stasis of blood in the knee collaterals, leading to bone remodeling, osteophyte formation, and persistent pain.

Key Symptoms and Differentiation Points

| Differentiation Dimension | Manifestations |

| :— | :— |

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

| Associated Symptoms | Joint deformity, osteophytes, limited knee movement |

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

| Pathogenesis | Blood stasis with bone remodeling obstructing the knee collaterals |

| Etiology | Chronic osteoarthritis, prolonged inflammation, repeated microtrauma |

Acupuncture Point Prescription

| Point | Location | Function |

| :— | :— | :— |

| ST35 Dubi | In the two hollows beside the patella | Local points that reduce knee pain and swelling |

| BL40 Weizhong | Midpoint of the popliteal crease (behind the knee) | He-Sea point of Bladder meridian; treats back and knee pain |

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

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

Clinical Recommendation: Filiform needle, reducing method; cupping or pricking 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 osteophyte pain | Add Wei Ling Xian, Hai Feng Teng to unblock collaterals |

| Joint deformity | Add San Leng, E Zhu to break up stasis |

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

Western Mechanism Reference

Bone remodeling with osteophytes, subchondral bone sclerosis, and microcirculatory disturbance. Blood Stasis corresponds to advanced knee osteoarthritis with significant osteophyte formation and subchondral bone changes, where chronic inflammation and impaired microcirculation contribute to progressive joint damage.

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 knee pain relief.

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