Graphical representation of percent change in size of the operated paw relative to the unoperated paw. Compared to control animals, animals treated with 9-cis RA showed significantly reduced paw swelling at postoperative week 3 (7% mean difference, P=0.04), week 4 (12% mean difference, P=0.0002), week 5 (9% mean difference, P=0.0005), and week 6 (11% mean difference, P=0.0007). Within the treatment group, no significant difference in paw swelling was observed between time points.