Previously, we developed a rat model to study elbow contracture that exhibited features similar to the human condition, including persistently decreased ROM and increased capsule thickness/adhesions.
In the joint capsules of the patients with elbow contractures, relative mRNA levels were increased for: collagen Types I, III, and V (1.5-2.5 times); biglycan (1.5 times); and matrix metalloproteinases-1, -2, -9, -13, and -15 (1.6-3.9 times).