Muscle does not drive persistent posttraumatic elbow contracture in a rat model.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Posttraumatic elbow contracture is clinically challenging because injury often disrupts multiple periarticular soft tissues. Tissue specific contribution to contracture, particularly muscle, remains poorly understood.

Methods

In this study we used a previously developed animal model of elbow contracture. After surgically inducing a unilateral soft tissue injury, injured limbs were immobilized for 3, 7, 21, and 42 days (IM) or for 42 IM with 42 days of free mobilization (42/42 IM-FM). Biceps brachii active/passive mechanics and morphology were evaluated at 42 IM and 42/42 IM-FM, whereas biceps brachii and brachialis gene expression was evaluated at all time points.

Results

Injured limb muscle exhibited significantly altered active/passive mechanics and dec

SUBMITTER: Dunham CL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6296879 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature