This article aims to introduce professor Shi Qi’s clinical experience in treating knee osteoarthritis from three stages. Professor Shi suggests that knee osteoarthritis can be differentiated into three stages: acute attack stage, acute remission stage and chronic duration stage. During treatment, while taking traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) oral decoctions according to syndrome differentiation in different stages, TCM external treatment methods such as hot medicated compress therapy, Chinese medicine fumigation and externally used paste can also be selected accordingly, supplemented by three steps and nine methods of knee manipulation to regulate sinews, press and move bones and muscles and dredge collaterals for the purpose of restoring the balance of sinews and bones. Professor Shi also advocates the intervention concept of integration of prevention, treatment and nourishment.