Abstract
The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of a peripheral nerve injury on rat ankle joint contracture and the elasticity of the soleus muscle. Eight-week-old Wistar rats were divided into three groups. The left hind limbs of the first group were immobilized in complete plantar-flexion by a cast. In the second group, the left hind limbs were immobilized in complete plantar-flexion by a cast and left sciatic neurectomy was performed. The third group was the control. After four weeks, the ankle joint motion and soleus elasticity showed a considerable decrease in the second group as compared with the first group. It seems that peripheral nerve injury harmfully influences joints and muscles.
