Father's Experience in Treating Crane Knee Syndrome—March 27, 1979

Father's Experience in Treating Crane Knee Syndrome—March 27, 1979

Crane knee syndrome refers to swelling of the knee joint resembling a crane's knee, often caused by deficiency of the three yang energies, invasion of wind pathogens, and stagnation of yin cold. Initially, there is chills and fever, making walking difficult; subsequently, local redness, swelling, and pain—or pale, diffuse swelling—may occur. Over time, joint effusion leads to further swelling. This condition is also known as knee wandering wind or knee eye wind, corresponding to Western medical diagnoses such as knee tuberculosis or rheumatoid arthritis. My father recommended using 120 g of Astragalus membranaceus, 60 g of Polygala tenuifolia, 60 g of Dendrobium nobile, 60 g of Achyranthes bidentata, and 30 g of Honeysuckle flowers. The first four ingredients were boiled in ten bowls of water until reduced to two bowls, then Honeysuckle flowers were added and boiled down to one bowl, which was consumed all at once.

Mnemonic: Two golds, yellow astragalus, beef.