Effects of losartan and atorvastatin on the development of early posttraumatic joint stiffness in a rat model.

Background: After a trauma, exuberant tissue healing with fibrosis of the joint capsule can lead to posttraumatic joint stiffness (PTJS). Losartan and atorvastatin have both shown their antifibrotic effects in different organ systems.

Objective: The purpose of this study was the evaluation of the influence of losartan and atorvastatin on the early development of joint contracture.

A novel rat model of stable posttraumatic joint stiffness of the knee.

Background: Animal models of posttraumatic joint stiffness (PTJS) are helpful in understanding underlying mechanisms, which is important for developing specific treatments and prophylactic therapies. Existing rat models of PTJS in the knee failed to show that the created contracture does not resolve through subsequent remobilization. Our objective was to establish a rat model of persisting PTJS of the knee and compare it to existing models.