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In this study, we examined the effect of a hot bath on joint components in rats. [Subjects and Methods] We used fifteen Wistar male rats of 9 weeks of age which had their right knee joints immobilized with a casting fixator for 2 weeks. The hot bath groups were subjected to treatment of 42-36 C hot baths for two weeks. After the knee joints were excised, sectioned knee joints were observed under on optical microscope with hematoxylineosin staining. [Results] In the 42 C and 40 C warm bath groups, the joint cartilage showed marked deviation from normal histological features. In contrast, in the 38 C and 36 C warm bath groups, histological changes of the joint cartilage were similar to those of the control group which showed changes only for contracture. [Conclusion] These findings indicate that increase of intra-articular temperature may have a bad influence on joint cartilage and synovium, and reconsideration of the indication and contraindication about hot baths is necessary.