56Muscle Recovery and Fibrosis After Strain Injury
American Journal of Sports Medicine (1987) · P.K. Nikolaou, B.L. Macdonald, R.R. Glisson, A.V. Seaber, W.E. Garrett Jr.
This animal study evaluated the healing response of rabbit tibialis anterior muscles after controlled strain injury. Injured muscles initially lost nearly 30% of contractile strength, with function worsening to 51.1% at 24 hours, then recovering to 92.5% of baseline by day 7. Histology showed progressive damage and inflammation: early fiber rupture and hemorrhage gave way to necrosis and leukocyte infiltration at 24â48 hours, followed by fibrotic tissue formation by day 7. Despite early recovery of function, scar tissue development persisted. The study highlights how inflammation and fibrosis contribute to recurrent muscle injuries after strain trauma.
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61Immobilization After Rotator Cuff Repair Is as Effective as Early Motion
Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery (2014) · Keener JD, Galatz LM, Stobbs-Cucchi G, Patton R, Yamaguchi K
This randomized controlled trial compared early range of motion versus immobilization (delayed motion for 6 weeks) after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair in 124 patients. At 12 to 24 months follow-up, there were no significant differences in functional scores, active motion, shoulder strength, or tendon healing rates between the two groups. Both groups achieved a 92% healing rate. The only advantage of early motion was slightly better elevation and rotation at 3 months, which disappeared by later follow-up. These findings indicate that resting the injury after repair does not compromise healing, and that early exercise provides no meaningful advantage over a period of immobilization.
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