Knee Osteoarthritis - Blood Stasis Pattern
TCM differentiation and treatment for knee osteoarthritis
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 |
|---|
location, worse at night |
| Associated Symptoms |
|---|
movement |
| Tongue and Pulse |
|---|
coating, hesitant pulse |
| Pathogenesis |
|---|
knee collaterals |
| Etiology |
|---|
repeated microtrauma |
Acupuncture Point Prescription
| Point | Location | Function |
|---|
| ST35 Dubi | In the two hollows beside the patella |
|---|
that reduce knee pain and swelling |
| BL40 Weizhong |
|---|
| 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 |
|---|
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 |
|---|
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.
- Deepen your knowledge at TcmCIO.com – Full
research papers and clinical case studies on TCM arthritis health.
Related TCM Patterns for Knee Osteoarthritis
Last reviewed: June 2026 | Lead author: Dr. Li Wei, DACM | Content updated: Monthly
Disclaimer: This guide is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Consult a licensed healthcare provider before starting any treatment.