Low-level cyclic compression had subtle beneficial effects on aggrecanase activity. (A) Representative IHC images show NITEGE immunostaining in control, DMM-only, and DMM+1.0N at the +2-week and +6-week time point, with the highest levels of positive immunostaining in the DMM-only group. (B) Aggrecanase activity was 116% higher in DMM-only limbs compared to control limbs, and only 53% higher in DMM+1.0N limbs compared to controls. However, these changes were not significant due to small sample size. Scale bars =100 pm. Arrow heads indicate positive signal. Mean ± SD shown with individual data points overlaid.