The relationship between infrared thermography and traditional Chinese medicine syndrome of osteoarthritis is discussed. 90 patients with osteoarthritis were observed by using a prospective research method. The patients were divided into three groups of kidney vacuity and marrow depletion (Shenxu Suikui), Yang deficiency and cold coagulation (Yangxu Hanning) and Blood stasis (Yuxue Zuzhi). Each group had 30 patients. By taking 30 healthy volunteers as a contrast group, a HIR-2000A medical infrared thermograher was used to scan four groups of people. The scanned range included the palm of the hand, the back of the hand, knee and popliteal. The surface temperature values of the corresponding areas were recorded. The surface temperature difference between the group of patients with Yangxu Hanning and the contrast group was of remarkable statistical significance (P<0.01);that between the group of patients of Yuxue Zuzhi and the contrast group was of statistical significance (P<0.05); that between the group of patients of Shenxu Suikui and the contrat group was of no statistical significance (P>0.05). The results showed that infrared thermography could be used for the auxiliary diagnosis of traditional Chinese medicine syndrome of osteoarthritis. It was of important clinical significance in the early diagnosis and treatment of osteoarthritis.