Knee Osteoarthritis - Damp-Heat Bi Pattern

Dr. Li Wei, DACM

Knee Osteoarthritis · Damp-Heat Bi Pattern

Updated: June 23, 2026

Reviewed by: Dr. Li Wei, DACM

Reading Time: 6 min

Body Area: Knee

Pattern Overview

Damp-Heat Bi is an acute inflammatory pattern in knee osteoarthritis, characterized by synovitis with effusion, swelling, redness, and burning pain. The core pathogenesis is accumulation of Damp-Heat in the knee joint, causing acute synovitis, joint effusion, and severe inflammation.

Key Symptoms and Differentiation Points

| Differentiation Dimension | Manifestations |

| :— | :— |

| Primary Symptoms | Swelling, redness, burning pain in the knee joint |

| Associated Symptoms | Local warmth, joint effusion, limited knee movement |

| Tongue and Pulse | Red tongue with yellow greasy coating, slippery and rapid pulse |

| Pathogenesis | Damp-Heat accumulating in the knee joint |

| Etiology | Acute flare-up of osteoarthritis, gout attack, inflammatory response |

Acupuncture Point Prescription

| Point | Location | Function |

| :— | :— | :— |

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

| SP9 Yinlingquan | Below the medial condyle of the tibia | Transforms Dampness and drains Heat |

| GB34 Yanglingquan | Depression below the head of the fibula | Relaxes tendons and reduces pain |

| Ashi points | Tender spots around the knee | Local clearing of Damp-Heat |

Clinical Recommendation: Filiform needle, reducing method; may combine with pricking and cupping at Ashi points to drain Damp-Heat.

Herbal Formula

Base Formula: Si Miao Wan (四妙丸)

Composition:

Atractylodes (Cang Zhu), Phellodendron (Huang Bai), Achyranthes (Niu Xi), Coix Seed (Yi Yi Ren)

Action: Clears Damp-Heat, reduces inflammation, promotes diuresis, and relieves pain.

Modifications

| Associated Symptoms | Additions/Subtractions |

| :— | :— |

| Severe joint effusion | Add Ze Xie, Che Qian Zi to promote diuresis |

| Burning pain | Add Shi Gao, Zhi Mu to clear Heat and generate fluids |

| Redness | Add Jin Yin Hua, Lian Qiao to clear Heat and detoxify |

Western Mechanism Reference

Synovitis with effusion, neutrophil infiltration, elevated inflammatory cytokines, and joint effusion. Damp-Heat Bi corresponds to acute knee osteoarthritis flare-up with significant synovitis and joint effusion.

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.

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