The effects of short-term non-weightbearing and immobilization after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction on articular cartilage: Long-term observation after reloading and remobilization.

Non-weightbearing or immobilization after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction accelerates cartilage degeneration. However, it is unclear whether these adverse effects are reversed by reloading or remobilization. Moreover, it is unknown whether the combination of non-weightbearing and immobilization after ACL reconstruction has synergistic effects on cartilage degeneration.

Long-term effects of non-weight bearing and immobilization after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction on joint contracture formation in rats.

Purpose: Non-weight bearing improves and immobilization worsens contracture induced by anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR), but effect persistence after reloading and remobilization remains unclear, and the combined effects of these factors on ACLR-induced contracture are unknown. We aimed to determine 1) whether the effects of short-term (2-week) non-weight bearing or immobilization after ACLR on contracture would be sustained by reloading or remobilization during a 10-week observation period, and 2) how the combination of both interventions compared to the outcome of either alone.

Methods: We divided 88 ACL-reconstructed male rats into four groups: non-intervention, non-weight bearing, joint immobilization, and both interventions.