title: Experimental joint immobilization and remobilization in the rats.
abstract: [Purpose] The purpose of our study was to clarify temporal effects on restrictions to range of motion and the histopathological changes of joint components after joint immobilization in a rat knee-contracture model. [Subjects] Fifty-four male Wistar rats were randomly divided into two groups: a fixation group, and a control group. [Methods] In the fixation group, unilateral knee joints were immobilized at full flexion using a plaster cast for 4 weeks. At four weeks the animals were randomly divided into six subgroups, corresponding to the time of examination after cast removal: 0, 4, 8, 16, 24, and 32 weeks. For comparison, control group animals of corresponding age were also examined. [Results] Although movement restrictions of the knee joint had completely recovered 6 weeks after the cast removal, cartilage and synovial membrane structures did not completely recover. [Conclusion] These findings have not previously been reported, and as they form an addition to the fundamental scientific foundations of physical therapy, further research must examine these findings from a variety of perspectives.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Health Sciences, Kinjo University, Japan ; Division of Health Sciences, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kanazawa University, Japan.
authors.forename: Satoshi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kojima
authors.affiliation: Division of Health Sciences, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kanazawa University, Japan.
authors.forename: Masahiro
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hoso
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Rehabilitation Sciences, Nagoya Gakuin University, Japan.
authors.forename: Masanori
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Watanabe
authors.affiliation: Division of Health Sciences, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kanazawa University, Japan.
authors.forename: Taro
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Matsuzaki
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Rehabilitation Sciences, Nagoya Gakuin University, Japan.
authors.forename: Itaru
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Hibino
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Health Sciences, Kinjo University, Japan.
authors.forename: Kentaro
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Sasaki
keywords: Articular cartilage; Contracture; Synovial membrane