Does Thermotherapy Improve the Joint Extensibility of an Immobilized Joint? An Experimental Rat Study

• Published in: Rigakuryoho Kagaku Vol. 30; no. 4; pp. 489 - 492
• Main Authors: HARAGUCHI, Shuhei, SHIRANE, Kaori, OKI, Sadaaki, TSUMIYAMA, Wakako, UMEI, Namiko, TAKAMIYA, Naomi, ONO, Takeya
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Japanese
• Published: The Society of Physical Therapy Science 03-09-2015
• Subjects: joint contracture; rat; thermotherapy
• ISSN: 1341-1667; 2434-2807
• DOI: 10.1589/rika.30.489

[Purpose] To examine the extensibility following thermotherapy of immobilized joints. [Subjects] Twelve female Wistar rats (8 weeks old) were used in this study. [Methods] The right ankle joint was immobilized in full plantar flexion using a cast for a week. The rats were divided into a thermotherapy group and a control group. The rats in the thermotherapy group were immersed in a hot bath (42°C). For both groups, the resistance force up to the joint’s end-range was measured. [Results] The median of the thermotherapy group was 2.8 N, and the median of the control group was 3.0 N. There was no significant difference between the groups. [Conclusion] The extensibility of the immobilized joints was not improved by thermotherapy. Increased collagen extensibility is not enough to increase joint extensibility.