Open AccessThe response of articular cartilage to weight-bearing against metal. A study of hemiarthroplasty of the hip in the dog
Author(s) -
RL Cruess,
DC Kwok,
P A Duc,
MA Lecavalier,
GT Dang
Publication year - 1984
Publication title -
journal of bone and joint surgery. british volume/the journal of bone and joint surgery. british volume
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 0968-7300
pISSN - 0301-620X
DOI - 10.1302/0301-620x.66b4.6204988
Subject(s) - articular cartilage , medicine , cartilage , femoral head , bearing surface , weight bearing , articular surface , acetabulum , pannus , articular cartilage damage , femur , prosthesis , surgery , osteoarthritis , anatomy , arthritis , pathology , materials science , alternative medicine , composite material , lubrication
Hemiarthroplasty of the hip and some other joints has been used for many years with satisfactory results, but the fate of articular cartilage when weight-bearing against metal has not been reported. Replacement of the head of the femur was carried out in one hip of each of 26 dogs, and the changes in acetabular cartilage studied at intervals of up to 24 weeks. There was early loss of proteoglycan, followed by surface damage to the cartilage, progressive degenerative changes, and growth of pannus from the articular margins. At 24 weeks after operation there was little remaining articular cartilage, while intense subchondral activity suggested that the bony skeleton was being remodelled to conform to the shape of the prosthesis. This study is not intended to suggest that hemiarthroplasty does not help patients.