FIELD : medicine.SUBSTANCE : invention relates to medical technology, in particular to a method of treating or preventing injuries of the knee joints by inducing deep local hypothermia and a device for its implementation. Method includes stages in which a cold is applied to the surface area of the knee joint and the temperature of the skin of this joint is monitored using at least one non-invasive device until the minimal target value of temperature of the skin of the joint is reached 5?癈. Next, the temperature of the internal areas of the knee joint is monitored using at least one non-invasive device and continue to periodically influence the cold on the surface area of the knee joint so that the temperature of the skin of this joint does not fall below the above mentioned minimal target value. Moreover, after reaching the minimum permissible temperature value of the internal areas of the knee joint 16?癈 or the minimal above mentioned temperature of the skin of this joint, exposure to cold on the surface area of the knee joint is stopped, as a result of which the temperature of the skin of the knee joint rises. In the case of registration of the temperature of the internal areas of the knee joint is above the maximum permissible value for hypothermia, which is 18?癈, exposure to cold on the surface area of the knee joint is resumed to achieve the minimum permissible value of temperature of the skin or internal areas of this joint. Repeat the last two stages a sufficient number of times for the implementation of deep local hypothermia of the knee joint for the required time. Device includes means which is designed with possibility of exposure to cold on the surface area of the knee joint. Device contains a non-invasive device for determining and monitoring the temperature of the skin of the knee joint. Device contains a non-invasive device for determining and monitoring the temperature of the internal areas of the knee joint.EFFECT : therapy of various lesions of the knee joints by induction of local deep hypothermia of the intraarticular tissues.8 cl, 4 dwg, 6 tbl