Objective：To analyse the differences between radiofrequency and mechanical gouging in treatment of knee rheumatoid arthritis. Methods：Randomized control and prospective case study was designed, with 21 cases in the radiofrequency treatment group and 17 cases in the mechanical gouging group（control group）. All the cases were followed up for an average of 19.5 months（ranging 6 to 39 months） according to Lysholm knee function evaluation score. Results：The Lysholm scores in the treatment group were superior to those in the control group in cases at stage Ⅰand Ⅱ according to ARA staging system（P < 0.05）, while there were no statistically significant differences between the two groups in cases at stage Ⅲ（P > 0.05）. Conclusion：Radiofrequency is the first choice in treatment of knee rheumatoid arthritis at stage Ⅰand Ⅱ.