Adhesion formation after nerve repair: an experimental study of early protected mobilization in the rabbit

The common peroneal nerve and its surrounding muscles were cut and repaired in 14 rabbits. The injured limb was then either immobilized for 3 weeks or passively mobilized within a "safety range" every day. At 3 weeks after operation, the "stretch test" and "peel test" showed no difference in the biomechanical features of the adhesions between the nerve repair and the surrounding soft tissues.