Objective To evaluate the clinical effect and safety of articular point-application for patients with osteoarthritis（ OA） of sinews stasis and stagnation type. Methods One hundred and eight patients with OA of sinews stasis and stagnation type were randomized into an articular point-application group

a Tianhe Gutong application（ 天和骨通贴膏） group

and a placebo application group

with 36 cases in each group. Each group was treated with corresponding application for（ 12 ± 2） h daily for 4 weeks. Patients ’ visual analogy score（ VAS）

local pain pressure score

Chinese medicine syndrome score

onset time of pain relief and side effect were compared at different time point before and after treatment. The analgesic effect was evaluated. Results The total effective rate in the articular point-application group was 94. 44%

which was superior to 74. 29% in the Tianhe Gutong application group and25. 00% in the placebo group（ P < 0. 01）. VAS score and Chinese medicine syndrome score in each group at 1st

2nd

3rd and 4th week were lower than those before treatment（ P < 0. 05）. At the 3rd week

VAS score in the articular point-application group and the Tianhe Gutong application group were lower than that in the placebo group（ P <0. 05）. At the 4th week

VAS score in the articular point-application group was the lowest（ P < 0. 05）. At the 3rd and 4th week

Chinese medicine syndrome score in the articular point-application group and the Tianhe Gutong application group were lower than that in the placebo group（ P < 0. 05）. There was significant difference in local pain pressure scores between the placebo group and the articular point-application group

and between the placebo group and the Tianhe Gutong application group（ P < 0. 05）. Onset time of pain relief in the articular point-application group was the shortest（ P < 0. 05）. Conclusion Articular point-application is effective in the treatment of OA of sinews stasis and stagnation type. It could relieve pain and take effect quickly with good safety.