# JOINT CONTRACTURE:  BIOMECHANICAL-CHEMICAL CORRELATES

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN DIEGO · 1987 · $188,278

## Abstract

This laboratory has evaluated the stress dependence of connective tissue in
a series of studies over the past several years.  The cumulative data from
these papers support the extension of Wolff's law to fibrous connective
tissue and other specialized connective tissues as well.  Effects of stress
changes are seen with exercise, stress deprivation and repair.  Current
evidence suggests that stress deprivation causes profound and rapid
deterioration of fibrous tissues.  Early results suggest that the recovery
rate of ligament substance roughly parallels the degradation rate.
Insertion site weakness also results from stress deprivation.  This change
results from osteoclastic resorption of the ligamentous attachment fibers,
along with resorption of bone at these sites.  Recovery from ligament
insertion weakness appears to be a very slow process, requiring more than a
year to overcome changes induced in 2-3 months.  The purpose of the
proposed research program is to document more completely:  1) the fibrous
connective tissue and insertion site morphological and biochemical changes
resulting from stress deprivation, and 2) the consequent alteration in
physical characteristics.  The answers to these questions are particularly
important with respect to the development of the rationale for treatment
and rehabilitation of soft tissue injuries, such as the knee ligaments, etc.

A standard internal fixation model will be used to induce stress
deprivation effects in rabbit knees.  Capsular and ligamentous structures
from the model will be characterized by biomechanical, morphological,
biochemical and metabolic techniques on a progressive time base during the
development of and during recovery from the stress deprivation state.
Preliminary results indicate the need to follow the animals for more than
one year because of the slow recovery rate.  Finally, hormone or drug
treatment effects will be evaluated for efficacy in modulating the
development and recovery from the stress deprivation state.

Biochemical analyses to be employed will permit evaluation of collagen
turnover, total proteoglycans, and collagen cross-link quantitation
(reducible and non-reducible).  Light microscopy and transmission EM will
be used to characterize matrix and cells, as well as the ligament insertion
sites.  Biomechanical tests will yield data on ultimate strength and
stiffness of bone-ligament-bone complex, as well as the mechanical
properties of the ligament substance.  In addition, arthrographic
characterization of contracture strength will also be performed.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 3154826
- **Project number:** 5R01AR014918-16
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN DIEGO
- **SAM.gov UEI:** UYTTZT6G9DT1
- **Principal Investigator:** Wayne H. Akeson
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1987
- **Award amount:** $188,278
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1979-05-01 → 1988-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/3154826

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 3154826, JOINT CONTRACTURE:  BIOMECHANICAL-CHEMICAL CORRELATES (5R01AR014918-16). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-25 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/3154826. Licensed CC0.

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