Crane’s-knee wind

Also knee’s eye wind; wandering knee wind. A disease marked by a painful suppurative swelling of the knee associated with emaciation of the lower leg. Crane’s-knee wind is attributed to depletion of kidney yīn and to depletion of the three yáng channels allowing the invasion of cold-damp, which causes congealing stagnation; in most cases it develops from joint-running wind lì jié fēng. Crane’s-knee wind starts with physical cold and heat effusion, slight swelling of knee, difficulty walking, and local pain. As is progresses, the knee becomes red, swollen, and hot or white with diffuse swelling. The thigh and calf become thin, and the swelling at the knee bursts to produce fluid pus or a thick yellow humor. Crane’s-knee wind heals with difficulty.

Medicinal therapy: In the initial stage, use Five Accumulations Powder (五积散 wǔ jī sǎn) and apply white mustard (Sinapis Alba Semen, 白芥子 bái jiè zǐ) topically and apply a scallion hot pack. Alternative topical treatments include moxibustion or application of Yáng-Returning Jade Dragon Paste (回阳玉龙膏 huí yáng yù lóng gāo). In enduring conditions characterized by painful white swelling, treatment should take the form of supporting right and dispelling the evil by warming yáng and dispersing dampness with Major Saposhnikovia Decoction (大防风汤 dà fáng fēng tāng) or Pubescent Angelica and Mistletoe Decoction (独活寄生汤 dú huó jì shēng tāng), with judicious addition of frankincense (Olibanum, 乳香 rǔ xiāng) for severe pain. After rupture, 15g each of cotton rose leaf (Hibisci Mutabilis Folium, 木芙蓉叶 mù fú róng yè) and chrysanthemum leaf (Chrysanthemi Folium, 菊花叶 jú huā yè) can be applied crushed and mixed with boiled wheat and steamed bean curd dregs (Glycines Lactis Residuum, 豆腐渣 dòu fǔ zhā).

Acumoxatherapy: Base treatment mainly on GB and local points. Select GB-34 (Yáng Mound Spring, 阳陵泉 yáng líng quán), GB-30 (Jumping Round, 环跳 huán tiào), GB-31 (Wind Market, 风巿 fēng shì), ST-34 (Beam Hill, 梁丘 liáng qiū), Eye of the Knee (膝眼 xī yǎn) GB-33 (Knee Yáng Joint, 膝阳关 xī yáng guān), and SP-9 (Yīn Mound Spring, 阴陵泉 yīn líng quán); needle with drainage and add moxa.

Point selection according to stage: In the initial stage, add to the main points GB-20 (Wind Pool, 风池 fēng chí), GV-16 (Wind Mansion, 风府 fēng fǔ), LI-4 (Union Valley, 合谷 hé gǔ), and LI-11 (Pool at the Bend, 曲池 qū chí); needle with drainage and add moxa. In enduring illness, add to the main points BL-23 (Kidney Transport, 肾俞 shèn shù), GV-4 (Life Gate, 命门 mìng mén), CV-4 (Pass Head, 关元 guān yuán), and ST-36 (Leg Three Lǐ, 足三里 zú sān lǐ); needle with even supplementation and drainage or with supplementation, and add large amounts of moxa.

Etymology

Chinese: 鹤 hè, crane; 膝 xī, knee; 风 fēng, wind; so called because the leg is thin while the knee is enlarged as in the crane.