Journal article
Capsule release surgery temporarily reduces contracture in a rat elbow model of arthrofibrosis
Journal of orthopaedic research, Vol.43(1), pp.23-36
01/2025
DOI: 10.1002/jor.25967
PMCID: PMC11615420
PMID: 39279043
Appears in UI Libraries Support Open Access
Abstract
Elbow trauma can lead to joint contracture and reduced range of motion (ROM). Nonsurgical interventions can improve ROM, but in some cases capsule release surgery is required. Although surgery can improve ROM, it often does not restore full ROM. Thus, alternatives are needed. One approach is to target activated myofibroblasts, which are commonly associated with fibrotic tissue. Mechanical and biochemical cues drive a feedback loop that can result in normal or pathological healing. We hypothesize that this feedback loop exists in joint contracture and can be manipulated so that myofibroblast activity is reduced, normal healing is achieved, and ROM is improved. We previously demonstrated that blebbistatin can inhibit myofibroblast contractile forces and reduce collagen synthesis in vitro. Thus, the purpose of this study was to assess the use of blebbistatin in an animal model of elbow contracture, which was induced in 7 groups of 4 rats each ( n = 28). All elbows were mechanically and histologically tested. The uninjured contralateral elbows of each rat were used as a control group. Capsule release surgery significantly improved ( p < 0.01) outcomes 1 week after surgery compared to injury alone and was not significantly different from uninjured elbows. Three weeks after surgery, outcomes worsened, indicating joint stiffening consistent with what is observed clinically. The addition of blebbistatin did not significantly improve outcomes. Future work will investigate relationships among treatment, fibrotic tissue deposition, myofibroblast activity, and biomechanics to determine if blebbistatin is a useful adjunctive therapy for treating joint contracture.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Capsule release surgery temporarily reduces contracture in a rat elbow model of arthrofibrosis
- Creators
- Austin J. Scholp - University of IowaJordan A. Jensen - Roy J. Carver Department of Biomedical Engineering University of Iowa Iowa City Iowa USATimothy P. Fowler - Department of Orthopedics and Rehabilitation University of Iowa Iowa City Iowa USAEmily Petersen - University of IowaDouglas Fredericks - University of IowaAliasger K. Salem - University of IowaDongrim Seol - Department of Orthopedics and Rehabilitation University of Iowa Iowa City Iowa USAMitchell Coleman - Department of Orthopedics and Rehabilitation University of Iowa Iowa City Iowa USASpencer P. Lake - Washington University in St. LouisJames A. Martin - Department of Orthopedics and Rehabilitation University of Iowa Iowa City Iowa USAEdward A. Sander - University of Iowa
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Journal of orthopaedic research, Vol.43(1), pp.23-36
- DOI
- 10.1002/jor.25967
- PMID
- 39279043
- PMCID
- PMC11615420
- NLM abbreviation
- J Orthop Res
- ISSN
- 0736-0266
- eISSN
- 1554-527X
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Grant note
- National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases: R21AR075137
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases,Grant/Award Number: R21AR075137
- Language
- English
- Electronic publication date
- 09/15/2024
- Date published
- 01/2025
- Academic Unit
- Roy J. Carver Department of Biomedical Engineering; Pharmaceutical Sciences and Experimental Therapeutics; Orthopedics and Rehabilitation; Radiation Oncology; Craniofacial Anomalies Research Center; Dental Research; Chemical and Biochemical Engineering
- Record Identifier
- 9984705603002771
Metrics
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