Ｏｂｊｅｃｔｉｖｅ　To investigate the role of spinal G protein-coupled receptor kinases 2(GRK2) in persistent postoperative pain after skin/muscle incision and retraction (SMIR) in rats．　Methods　Sixty male SD rats in which intrathecal catheter were successfully implanted were divided randomly into 6 groups (n=10): sham operation group (group Ⅰ), sham + dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) group (group Ⅱ), sham+MDL28170 group (group Ⅲ), SMIR group (group Ⅳ), SMIR+DMSO group (group Ⅴ), SMIR+MDL28170 group (group Ⅵ). A PE-10 catheter was inserted into the subarachnoid space (intrathecal). A rat model of persistent post-operative pain was established with SMIR. Pain behavior was assessed with von Frey filament test and was quantified with paw withdrawal mechanical threshold (PWMT) 1 d before operation (T0) and 3 d (T1), 7 d (T2), 14 d (T3) and 21 d (T4) after operation. Four rats in each group were sacrificed at T3, the L4－L6 segments of the spinal cord were obtained to determine the protein levels of GRK2 with Western blot assay．　Results　Compared with groupⅠ, the PWMT was significantly decreased at T1－T4 in group Ⅳ and group Ⅴ(P＜0.05), and at T1－T3 in group Ⅵ(P＜0.05). Compared with group Ⅰ, the protein levels of spinal GRK2 was down-regulated at T3 in group Ⅳ and group Ⅴ(P＜0.05). Compared with group Ⅳ, the spinal GRK2 was upregulated at T3 in group Ⅵ(P＜0.05).　Conclusions　The down-regulation of spinal GRK2 may be involved in the development and maintenance of persistent postoperative pain in rats following SMIR．