Experimental Immobilization and Remobilization of Rat Knee Joints
- 1 July 1960
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Wolters Kluwer Health in Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery
- Vol. 42 (5) , 737-758
- https://doi.org/10.2106/00004623-196042050-00001
Abstract
The knee joints of 39 adult rats were immobilized by internal fixation in the position of flexion in almost normal weight bearing, and re-mobilized at various intervals for 15 to 90 days. Proliferation of intracapsular tissue and formation of adhesions are the primary responses; to a limited degree, these changes are reversible. Irreversible changes occur in articular cartilage as follows matrix fibrillation, cleft formation and ulceration. After 30 days of rigid immobilization the joint changes that restrict motion are not reversible.This publication has 0 references indexed in Scilit: