Knee Osteoarthritis - Wind-Cold-Damp Bi Pattern

Dr. Li Wei, DACM

Knee Osteoarthritis · Wind-Cold-Damp Bi Pattern

Updated: June 23, 2026

Reviewed by: Dr. Li Wei, DACM

Reading Time: 6 min

Body Area: Knee

Pattern Overview

Wind-Cold-Damp Bi is a common pattern in knee osteoarthritis, characterized by cartilage degeneration, cold pain, stiffness, and aggravation in cold weather. The core pathogenesis is invasion of Wind-Cold-Damp pathogens into the knee meridians, causing obstruction of Qi and Blood flow, synovitis, and accelerated cartilage degeneration.

Key Symptoms and Differentiation Points

| Differentiation Dimension | Manifestations |

| :— | :— |

| Primary Symptoms | Cold pain and stiffness in the knee, worse in cold/damp weather |

| Associated Symptoms | Relief with warmth, morning stiffness, limited knee movement |

| Tongue and Pulse | Pale red tongue with thin white coating, floating and tense pulse |

| Pathogenesis | Wind-Cold-Damp pathogens obstructing the knee collaterals |

| Etiology | Aging, exposure to cold and damp, prolonged inactivity |

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 |

| GB34 Yanglingquan | Depression below the head of the fibula | Master point for tendons; treats knee pain and stiffness |

| Ashi points | Tender spots around the knee | Local pain relief and meridian unblocking |

Clinical Recommendation: Filiform needle, even method; moxibustion may be added to warm the meridians and disperse cold.

Herbal Formula

Base Formula: Du Huo Ji Sheng Tang (独活寄生汤)

Composition:

Angelica pubescens (Du Huo), Loranthus (Sang Ji Sheng), Eucommia (Du Zhong), Achyranthes (Niu Xi), Angelica (Dang Gui), Chuanxiong (Chuan Xiong), Rehmannia (Shu Di), White Peony (Bai Shao), Ginseng (Ren Shen), Poria (Fu Ling), Licorice (Gan Cao), Saposhnikovia (Fang Feng), Gentiana (Qin Jiao), Asarum (Xi Xin), Cinnamon (Rou Gui)

Action: Disperses Wind-Cold-Damp, tonifies Liver and Kidney, strengthens tendons and bones.

Modifications

| Associated Symptoms | Additions/Subtractions |

| :— | :— |

| Severe cold pain | Add Fu Zi, Gui Zhi to warm meridians |

| Pronounced morning stiffness | Add Shen Jin Cao, Tou Gu Cao to relax sinews |

| Joint swelling | Add Fang Ji, Yi Yi Ren to drain Dampness |

Western Mechanism Reference

Cartilage degeneration with synovitis, cold-induced stiffness, and reduced joint lubrication. Wind-Cold-Damp Bi corresponds to knee osteoarthritis exacerbated by cold exposure, where reduced blood flow and increased joint stiffness contribute to symptom aggravation.

References

  1. Database + Textbook.

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

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