Deep transverse frictions in ligament healing*

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of deep transverse frictions on the healing of a minor sprain of the knee medial collateral ligament, in rabbits, using histological observations. Right knees of 18 animals were manually sprained; left knees served as controls. Deep transverse frictions were given five times to six animals; ten times to six animals. It was not possible on stained tissue sections to distinguish (P > 0.05) either between sprained or unsprained ligaments, or between treated and untreated sprained ligaments. The hypothesis that deep transverse frictions promote repair of sprained ligaments is not supported by the results of this study.J Orthop Sports Phys 1984;6(2):89-94.