Table 2.

Literature on reversibility of immobility-induced joint contractures

Study	Animal joint	Immobilization system	Remobilization	Range of motion (measured at the end of remobilization)	Number	Statistics	Reversible
Michelsson [19]	Rabbit knee	Extension plaster, 5 weeks	Not assisted 8 weeks	No	11	No	No
Akeson et al. [4]	Rabbit knee	Flexion internal, 9 weeks	Not assisted 1,2,3,6,9 weeks	Yes	25	No	No: 1, 2, 3 weeks Yes: 6, 9 weeks
Finsterbush and Friedman [10]	Rabbit knee	Flexion cast, 2 weeks 6 weeks	Not assisted 6, 8 months	No	22	No	No
Hildebrand et al. [14]	Rabbit knee	Flexion 8 weeks	Not assisted 8, 16, 32 weeks	Yes	28	Yes	No
Usuba et al. [34]	Rat knee	Flexion internal, 40 days	Stretching 4 weeks	Yes	53	Yes	No
Sakakima et al. [23]	Rat ankle	Flexion cast, 2 weeks	Exercise 6 weeks	Yes	39	Yes	No: without exercise Yes: with exercise
Schollmeier et al. [24]	Canine shoulder	Cast, 12 weeks	Not assisted 4, 8, 12 weeks	No	10	No	No: 4, 8 weeks Yes: 12 weeks
Van Harreveld et al. [35]	Horse metacarpo- phalangeal	Cast, 7 weeks	Exercise 2 weeks	Yes	5	No	No