Inhibition of Shh increases fibrosis and epimysial thickness and reduces motor functional recovery. (A, B) Representative images of fibrosis (blue staining) in muscles of mice treated with cyc and saline. (C) The mean percentage of fibrosis is significantly higher in the cyc group than controls (§P < 0.01). (D, E) Representative images of ET (blue staining) in muscles of mice treated with cyc and saline. (F) The ratio between ET at the injured and contralateral side is significantly higher in mice treated with cyc than controls (§P < 0.01). (G) Cyc treatment reduces motor functional recovery after CTX injury. In saline‐treated animals, grip strength returns to normal levels by day 10 after injury. In comparison, grip strength is significantly reduced in mice treated with cyc at day 6, 8 and 10 after injury (#P < 0.05, §P < 0.01).