Patellar Tendinitis - Wind-Cold-Damp Bi Pattern

Dr. Li Wei, DACM

Patellar Tendinitis · 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 patellar tendinitis, characterized by tendon inflammation, 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 and tendon inflammation.

Key Symptoms and Differentiation Points

| Differentiation Dimension | Manifestations |

| :— | :— |

| Primary Symptoms | Cold pain in the front of the knee, stiffness, worse in cold weather |

| Associated Symptoms | Relief with warmth, limited knee flexion, pain with squatting |

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

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

| Etiology | Knee exposure to cold, inadequate warm-up before exercise |

Acupuncture Point Prescription

| Point | Location | Function |

| :— | :— | :— |

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

| ST34 Liangqiu | 2 cun above the superior lateral border of the patella | Treats knee pain and tendon inflammation |

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

| Ashi points | Tender spots around the patellar tendon | 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 stiffness | Add Shen Jin Cao, Tou Gu Cao to relax sinews |

| Pain with squatting | Add Niu Xi, Mu Gua to strengthen tendons and unblock collaterals |

Western Mechanism Reference

Tendon inflammation with cold-induced vasoconstriction, reduced local blood flow, and increased tendon stiffness. Wind-Cold-Damp Bi corresponds to patellar tendinitis exacerbated by cold exposure, where reduced blood flow and increased tendon stiffness contribute to symptom aggravation.

References

  1. Database + Textbook.

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

Explore More

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