Abstract:

BACKGROUND: Traditional Chinese medicine fumigation therapy has shown good curative effects in the treatment of knee traumatic stiff, but the mechanism remains unclear.
OBJECTIVE: To construct a traumatic stiff knee model, and to explore the mechanism of Shangkexungxitang (SKXXT) for treating traumatic stiff knee.
METHODS: Totally 24 rabbits were prepared for traumatic stiff knee models by injecting one’s own blood into right knee joint and immobilized the knee in extension position with plaster for 7 weeks. The traumatic stiff knees were steamed and washed with SKXXT or hot water in the Chinese medicine group and water control group. There was no treatment in the model group. The level of serum alanine transaminase, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, as well as glycosaminoglycan content was measured at 2 weeks after treatment. At the same time, the range of motion (ROM) of the knee before and after therapeutic period and pathological changes of affected sides were observed. 
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: After 7 weeks of immobilization, the ROM of right knee joints were significantly reduced (P < 0.01). No obvious change of ROM happened, but the articular capsule became thickening, collagen fiber arranged disorderly, and membrane structure disappeared at 2 weeks after treatment. There were no significances of the alanine transaminase, blood urea nitrogen and creatinine levels in three groups (P > 0.05). But the content of glycosaminoglycan in Chinese medicine group was much greater (P < 0.01). SKXXT can enhance glycosaminoglycan content in ligaments, which has an effect of prevention and auxiliary therapy on traumatic stiff knee.