To examine the effects of acupotomy on joint cartilage degradation，overall joint stress，joint cartilage stress changes，TNF-α，and IL-1β in rabbits suffering from knee osteoarthritis(KOA) and discuss its mechanism on the treatment of KOA.Methods:A total of twenty-eight rabbits were randomly assigned to four groups，namely blank group，model group，acusector group，acupotomy group，with each consisting of seven rabbits.With the exception of the blank group，KOA rabbit models were established in the other groups by immobilizing the left hind limb for six weeks.The acusector group and acupotomy group received interventions for three weeks.Hematoxylin-eosin(HE) method was used to observe the pathological changes of rabbit cartilage and evaluate the degree of cartilage degeneration.The knee joint flexion of the KOA rabbit model was simulated by the finite element technique at 60°，and the overall stress of knee joint and the maximum stress of joint cartilage were observed.Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) was used to measure the expression levels of IL-1β and TNF-ɑ in synovial fluid.Results:Compared with that in the blank group，the Mankin score in the model group was increased(P<0.05)，and the overall stress of knee joint and the maximum stress of joint cartilage were significantly decreased(P<0.01).The levels of TNF-α and IL-1β were significantly increased(P<0.01).After the intervention，compared with that in the model group，the Mankin score in the acusector group and acupotomy group was significantly decreased(P<0.05)，and the overall stress of knee joint and the maximum stress of joint cartilage were increased(P<0.01).The levels of TNF-α and IL-1βwere significantly decreased(P<0.01).Compared with that in the acusector group，the Mankin score in the acupotomy group was decreased(P<0.05)，and the overall stress of knee joint and the maximum stress of joint cartilage were increased(P<0.05).The levels of TNF-α and IL-1β were significantly decreased(P<0.01).Conclusion:Acupotomy intervention can control the overall stress of knee joint and the maximum stress of joint cartilage.This can help to restore the stress environment of the knee joint，prevent the release of inflammatory factors，and thus improve the degeneration of joint cartilage，so as to treat KOA.