Effects of physical therapy on joint contracture in a rat model.

本研究的目的是利用大鼠膝关节痉挛模型，研究制动对关节成分的组织病理学改变，以及手法治疗(松动术)和超声治疗(低强度脉冲超声：LIPUS)的效果。关节固定后，关节囊内胶原纤维束间可见致密的增生组织，但每次干预均使关节囊内胶原纤维束间间隙增大。因此，松动术和LIPUS应该被认为是治疗关节痉挛的一种选择。

The aim of this study was to investigate the histopathological changes in the joint components occurred by immobilization using a rat knee joint contracture model, and the effect of manual therapy (mobilization) and ultrasound therapy (Low-intensity pulsed ultrasound: LIPUS). While the joint capsule had showed dense hyperplastic tissue between the collagen fiber bundles after joint immobilization, each intervention enlarged the spaces between collagen fiber bundles in the joint capsule. Thus, mobilization and LIPUS should be considered as a therapeutic option for the joint contracture.