【Abstract】 Objective To investigate clinical effects of debridement alone or combined with bone grafting and external fixation in the treatment of knee tuberculosis. Methods Eightythree patients with knee joint tuberculosis who admitted to hospital from January 2014 to January 2016 were enrolled. According to the random number table, 39 cases were divided into separate tuberculosis group and 39 cases with clearcut union bone graft and external fixation group , separate groups and joint groups. The operative time, hospitalization time, intraoperative blood loss and postoperative hypoalbumin and anemia were compared between the two groups. The scores of knee function, physical health and mental health of the two groups before and after operation were observed. Results There was no significant difference in knee function scores between the two groups before operation. There were significant differences in overall knee function between the two groups (F= 126356 and 82032, respectively, P＜001). At different time points after operation, the score of knee joint function in individual group was significantly higher than that in combined group (P＜005). There were no significant differences in the scores of physical health and mental health between the two groups before surgery (P＞ 005). The physical health scores and mental health scores of the two groups were significantly higher than those of the control group at 3 months after operation (P＜005). There were no significant differences in the scores of physical health and mental health between the two groups before surgery (P＞ 005). The physical health scores and mental health scores of the two groups were significantly higher than those of the control group at 3 months after operation (P＞ 005). The operation time and hospital stay in the simple group were shorter than those in the combined group, and the amount of bleeding during the operation was less than that in the combined group (P＜005). The incidences of postoperative hypoproteinemia and anemia in the simple group were significantly lower than those in the combined group , The difference between the groups was statistically significant (P＜005). The recurrence rate was 1026% in the simple group and 1136% in the combined group at 18 months after operation. There was significant difference between the two groups (P＞ 005). Conclusion The knee joint function and quality of life of both patients were effectively improved after operation, and had no effect on postoperative recurrence. In contrast, the operation time was shorter and the postoperative recovery was faster in patients with knee joint debridement alone. Knee tuberculosis using simple tuberculosis sclerosis or bone graft fusion combined with external fixation can effectively improve the patient's knee function and quality of life, so the choice of surgical procedures should be based on the severity of the patient's choice, and then improve the efficacy and promote postoperative Rehabilitation.