Studies comparing injured tissues
(skin, tendons, ligaments) treated by
immobilization with tissues treated by
passive motion have demonstrated
significant increases in cellularity, cell
products, strength, and mobility in
those tissues receiving passive moti0n.3~
Furthermore, Salter3l has
shown that injured articular cartilage
treated by continuous passive motion
improved markedly in the rate and
extent of healing. A possible mechanism
for this increased healing may
be the improved nutrition of cartilage
produced by movement. In their
study of the effect of passive knee motion
on the repaired medial collateral