The effect of stretching combined with ultrashort wave diathermy on joint function and it’s possible mechanism in a rabbit knee contracture model

Objective The aim of this study was to investigate the therapeutic effect of stretching combined with ultrashort wave on joint contracture and explore its possible mechanism. Design Thirty-two rabbits underwent unilateral immobilization of a knee joint at full extension to cause joint contracture. At 6 weeks after immobilization, the rabbits were randomly divided into four groups: natural recovery group, stretching treatment group, ultrashort wave treatment group and combined treatment group. For comparison, eight control group animals of corresponding age were also examined. The effect of stretching and ultrashort wave treatment on joint contracture was assessed by measuring the joint range of motion (ROM), evaluating the collagen deposition of joint capsule and assessing the mRNA and protein levels for TGF-β1 in the joint capsule. Results The combined treatment group led to the best recovery of joint function. The combined treatment with stretching and ultrashort wave was more effective than stretching or ultrashort wave treatment alone against the synovial thickening of suprapatellar joint capsule, the collagen deposition of anterior joint capsule and the elevated expression of TGF-β1 in the joint capsule. Conclusions Stretching combined with ultrashort wave treatment was effective in improving joint ROM, reducing the biomechanical, histological and molecular manifestations of joint capsule fibrosis in a rabbit model of extending joint contracture. Corresponding author: Yun Zhou. Email:zhouyunanhui@sina.com Author Discosures Conflict of Interest: None. Funding: None. Ethical approval: All procedures performed in this study involving animals were approved by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee of Anhui Medical University. Copyright © 2017 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.

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