Objective To investigate the effects of songchi ointment combined with running platform exercise rehabilitation on range of motion (ROM) and expression of interleukin (IL)-6, IL-17 and transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) in articular fibrosis of rats with articular contracture. Methods Among 44 Wistar rats, eight rats were A total of 32 rats were divided into the model control group (MC group), songchi ointment intervention group (SC group), running platform exercise intervention group (RE group), and songchi ointment + running platform exercise intervention group (SR group) by the random number table method , with eight rats in each group. The MC group did not subjected to any intervention; the SC group was subjected to a drug smear massage, the RE group was subjected to running platform exercise; the SR group was subjected to running platform exercise, followed by drug smear massage, intervention was once a day, 6 days a week. Before intervention and after 42 days of intervention, ROM was measured in all rats. After 42 days of intervention, IL-6, IL-17 and TGF-β1 contents of the rats were measured by ELISA. Results Before intervention, ROM of the model group was significantly lower than that of the NC group (P< 0. 05). After 42 days of intervention, compared with the MC group, ROM of SR and SC groups was significantly increased, the differences were statistically significant(P<0. 05). After intervention, compared with the MC group, IL-6 and IL-17 contents in SC, RE, and SR groups were significantly decreased, and those in the SR group was significantly lower than those in the SC and RE groups (P< 0. 05). TGF-β1 content in the SR group was significantly lower than that in the MC, SC, and RE groups ( P< 0. 05). Conclusions Songchi ointment combined with running platform exercise rehabilitation improves joint ROM, reduces the release of proinflammatory factors, and reduces the secretion of TGF-β1 related to fibrosis in rats with joint contracture to improve the degree of joint fibrosis.