Objective To explore the role of synovium in the process of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury by studying the effects of inflammatory on the activities of MMP-2,-9 under mechanical compression in human synoviocytes. Method We used an equi-biaxial stretch chamber with 12% mechanical injury compression and inflammatory factors (IL-1α and TNF-α) in human synoviocytes, and detected the activities of MMP-2,-9 under different conditions by zymography. Results Mechanical compression increased the MMP-2 production by 122% under 12% compression. In addition, TNF-α can also elevate the activity of MMP-2 in a time dependent way, while IL-1α cannot. However, mixture of these two factors dramatically increased MMP-2,-9 production. Mechanical injury had a strong synergistic effect on MMP-2,-9 productions with TNF-α and IL-1α. Conclusion Mechanical and inflammatory factors can elevate the activities of MMP-2,-9. Thus, synvoium might involve in regulating the micro-environment of joint cavity and the injury/healing process of knee joint tissue.