Knee Pain

Degenerative osteoarthritis of the knee (knee osteoarthritis) is a disease in which joint cartilage gradually wears down, accompanied by changes in the subchondral bone, the formation of osteophytes, and synovial inflammation. In particular, due to sedentary lifestyles and habits of squatting, wear on the medial compartment is common among Korean women, making inner knee pain more pronounced when going down stairs or standing up. Although cartilage itself lacks nerves, pain arises as inflammation and stress are applied to the subchondral bone, synovial membrane, and surrounding ligaments. From the Perspective of a Korean Medicine Clinic, the knee is a region governed by both the kidneys and the liver. Kidney energy determines the firmness of bones and cartilage, while liver energy supplies nutrients to the muscles and ligaments that support the knee. When kidney energy weakens with age, and wind, cold, or dampness invades the joints, aching and heaviness occur. Clinically, approaches are categorized based on cases where bones are soft due to weak kidney energy, where dampness has accumulated due to decreased spleen and stomach function, or where there are chronic circulatory disorders. At Dongjedang, we aim to create a condition with a low recurrence rate rather than merely treating localized pain. This is achieved by first checking the condition of ligaments and tendons around the joint using ultrasound, followed by a step-by-step external treatment that releases adhesions and strengthens ligaments using acupuncture and moxibustion; internally, we clear away dampness and blood stasis accumulated in the joints and nourish the liver and kidneys with herbal medicine tailored to the patient's constitution.