Objective: To explore the effect of Progressive muscle relaxation training (PMRT) on the postoperative rehabilitation of lower limb fracture. Methods: One hundred and twenty patients with tibia and fibula fracture were randomly divided into a PMRT group and a control group (n=60 in each group). The 2 groups were all performed surgical reduction and fixation. After the operation, the control group received routine treatment and nursing. Group PMRT received PMRT on the basis of conventional treatment, 2 times a day, 30 min each time. The anxiety state was assessed by Zung Self-rating Anxiety Scale (SAS). The level of pain was measured by Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). The time of starting muscle relaxation and remedial action after the operation and the proportion of postoperative remedial analgesia were compared between the 2 groups. The degree of limb swelling after surgery was assessed by measuring the circumferential diameter of the affected limb. Results: Before the intervention, there was no statistical significance between the 2 groups of general data, preoperative SAS, VAS pain scores and circumferential limb diameter (P>0.05). The SAS score (30.8±4.1 vs 33.5±4.7, t=3.353, P=0.001) and VAS pain score (3.1±1.4 vs 3.9±1.7, t=2.814, P=0.006) in the PMRT group were significantly lower than those in the control group. The time of starting limb muscle contractions [(21.8±7.5) h vs (25.4±8.2) h, t=2.509, P=0.013] in the PMRT group was significantly earlier than that in the control group. The remedial analgesic ratio (18.3% vs 36.7%, χ2=5.057, P=0.025) in the PMRT group was significantly lower than that in the control group. The limb circumference [(37.4±1.8) cm vs (38.3±2.1) cm, t=2.521, P=0.013] in the PMRT group were less than that in the control group. Conclusion: PMRT can reduce the postoperative anxiety and pain symptoms, improve the swelling degree of the affected limb, create favorable conditions for early postoperative functional exercise, and contribute to postoperative rehabilitation.