Objective To observe the regulatory effects of Warm-needle-moxibustion at neixiyan（EX-LE4） and waixiyan（EX-LE5） on the expressions of Caspase-3 and Caspase-9 mRNA in Knee Cartilage of Rabbits with Knee Osteoarthritis. Methods 18 New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into normal control group（normal group）， Knee Osteoarthritis group（model group） and Warm-needle-moxibustion at neixiyan（EX-LE4） and waixiyan（EX-LE5） group（WNM group）. The Knee Osteoarthritis model was made by injecting the papain into the joint cavity. After modeling， the WNM group were received Warm-needle-moxibustion at neixiyan（EX-LE4） and waixiyan（EX-LE5） for 20 min， 1 time every other day， every 2 weeks for 1 course rest for 2 days， a total of 4 courses of treatment. The model group and the normal group were not given any treatment. The expression of Caspase-3 and Caspase-9 mRNA in knee cartilage tissue was detected by RT-qPCR. Results （1）Compared with the model group， the spirit， appetite and knee joint activities of the rabbits in the WNM group were obviously improved. （2）The expression of Caspase-3 and Caspase-9 mRNA in the model group was both higher than those in normal group（P<0.001）. Compared with the model group， the expressions of Caspase-3 and Caspase-9 mRNA in the WNB group was significantly decreased（P<0.05）. Conclusion Warm-needle-moxibustion at neixiyan（EX-LE4） and waixiyan（EX-LE5） can down-regulate the expression of Caspase-3 and Caspase-9 mRNA in knee cartilage of rabbits with Knee Osteoarthritis， and inhibit the signal transduction of chondrocyte apoptosis pathway.