Objective:To explore the effect of extracoporeal shock wave（ESW）with Chuan-zhi plaster on expression of interleukin-1β（IL-1β）and tumor necrosis factor-α（TNF-α）in cartilage in rabbits with knee osteoarthritis. Methods:Totally 48 rabbits were randomly divided into control group

model group

treatment A group and treatment B group

with 12 rabbits in each group. Model of knee osteoarthritis was established in model group

treatment A group and treatment B group with Hulth method. Rabbits in treatment A group was treated with Chuan-zhi plaster

those in treatment B group was treated with ESW（each 1 000 impulse

the energy flux density of 0.1 m J/mm2）and Chuan-zhi plaster. The rabbits were sacrificed respectively at 4 weeks after ESWT. The articular genurinse solutions were collected from rats;the expressions of IL-1β and TNF-α in synovia were detected by ELISA

and immunohistochemical staining was used to observe the expression characteristics of IL-1β and TNF-α in cartilage of each group;differences were compared among the groups. Results:The expressions of IL-1β and TNF-α were significantly lower in treatment B group than in the model group and treatment A group（P<0.01）. Conclusion:ESW with Chuan-zhi plaster can down-regulate the expression of IL-1β and TNF-α in chondrocytes with osteoarthritis.