A sprained ankle is a common musculoskeletal sports injury and it is often treated by immobilization of the joint. Despite the beneficial effects of this therapeutic measure, the high prevalence of residual symptoms affects the quality of life, and remobilization of the joint can reverse this situation. The aim of this study was to analyze the effects of immobilization and remobilization on the ankle joint of Wistar rats. Eighteen male rats had their right hindlimb immobilized for 15 days, and were divided into the following groups: G1, immobilized; G2, remobilized freely for 14 days; and G3, remobilized by swimming and jumping in water for 14 days, performed on alternate days, with progression of time and a series of exercises. The contralateral limb was the control. After the experimental period, the ankle joints were processed for microscopic analysis. Histomorphometry did not show any significant differences between the control and immobilized/remobilized groups and members, in terms of number of chondrocytes and thickness of the articular cartilage of the tibia and talus. Morphological analysis of animals from G1 showed significant degenerative lesions in the talus, such as exposure of the subchondral bone, flocculation, and cracks between the anterior and mid-regions of the articular cartilage and the synovial membrane. Remobilization by therapeutic exercise in water led to recovery in the articular cartilage and synovial membrane of the ankle joint when compared with free remobilization, and it was shown to be an effective therapeutic measure in the recovery of the ankle joint.

The carpal tunnel syndrome is the most common peripheral neuropathy in the upper limb, but its treatment with conservative therapies such as neural mobilization (NM) is still controversial. The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of the NM as treatment in a model of median nerve compression. 18 Wistar rats were subjected to compression of the median nerve in the right elbow proximal region. Were randomly divided into G1 (untreated), G2 (NM for 1 minute), and G3 (NM for 3 minutes). For treatment, the animals were anesthetized and the right forelimb received mobilization adapted to humans, on alternated days, from the 3rd to the 13th day postoperatively (PO), totaling six days of therapy. Nociception was assessed by withdrawal threshold, and after euthanasia histomorphometric analysis of the median nerve was performed. The nociceptive evaluation showed in G2 and G3 delay in return to baseline. Histomorphometric analysis showed no significant differences in the variables analyzed. It is concluded that the NM was not effective in reducing nociceptive sensation and did not alter the course of nerve regeneration.

In conclusion, swimming, a conservative treatment for peripheral nerve lesions, was not able to improve the nociception threshold in obese rats.

Introdução: O músculo esquelético se adapta continuamente a estímulos. Objetivo: Analisar os efeitos da imobilização e remobilização sobre parâmetros morfológicos dos músculos sóleo e tibial anterior de ratos Wistar. Métodos: Dezoito animais foram imobilizados por 15 dias, divididos em três grupos de seis componentes cada: G1 – somente imobilizados; G2 – remobilizados livremente; G3 – remobilizados em meio aquático. Foram coletados os músculos sóleo e tibial anterior, direitos (imobilizados ou tratados) e esquerdos (controle). Resultados: A imobilização reduziu massa, diâmetro da fibra e comprimento do músculo sóleo, e massa muscular do tibial anterior. Em G2 e G3, houve aumento da massa e comprimento muscular do tibial anterior; e aumento do menor diâmetro da fibra do sóleo em G3. Conclusão: A imobilização afeta a morfologia dos músculos estudados, a remobilização livre e em meio aquático foram eficientes na recuperação do tibial anterior, enquanto para o sóleo apenas os exercícios aquáticos foram eficazes.

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