ABSTRACT
[Objective]To investigate the prophylactic effects of intra-articular injection of salvia miltiorrhiza on joint adhesion. [Methods]Twenty-four Japanese male rabbits were randomly divided into 3 groups.All right hind knees were made in this way: the auterior wall of suprapatellar bursae was scraped, the posterior wall of suprapatellar bursae and the infrapatellar fat pad were cut off. Each knee was injected with physiological saline 0.3 ml for group A, sodium hyaluronate injection 0.3 ml for group B, and salvia miltiorrhiza injection 0.3 ml for group C. All right hind knees were immobilized in the extension position with a long leg plaster cast for 4 weeks, and injected weekly.[Results]After 4 weeks, the joint movement range in group B or C was larger than that in group A (P<0.01), and there was no significant difference (P>0.05)compared to group B and group C. The scoring of joint adhesions in group B or C was smaller than that in group A (P<0.01), and there was no significant difference(P>0.05)compared to group B and group C. The scoring of histological changed of the synovial membrane in group B or C was smaller than that in group A (P<0.01), and there was no significant difference(P>0.05)compared to group B and group C.Total collagens content of the synovial membrane in group B or C was smaller than that in group A (P<0.01), while that of group C was less than in group B(P<0.01). [Conclusion]Similarly to sodium hyaluronate, salvia miltiorrhiza can effectively prevent joint adhesions.