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Rabbit knee immobilization: Bone remodeling precedes cartilage degradation
Author(s) -
Lane Smith R.,
Thomas K. D.,
Schurman D. J.,
Carter D. R.,
Wong M.,
van der Meulen M. C.
Publication year - 1992
Publication title -
journal of orthopaedic research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.041
H-Index - 155
eISSN - 1554-527X
pISSN - 0736-0266
DOI - 10.1002/jor.1100100111
Subject(s) - cartilage , glycosaminoglycan , anatomy , hindlimb , osteoarthritis , chemistry , femur , hydroxyproline , medicine , pathology , surgery , endocrinology , alternative medicine
This study analyzed processes underlying osteoporosis and osteoarthrosis after short‐term immobilization of the right hind limb of postadolescent (2.8 kg) and mature (4.0 kg) rabbits. After 3 weeks, the lateral posterior aspect of the lateral tibial plateau and the lateral femoral condyle of the immobilized limb exhibited prominent subchondral vascular eruptions. Femoral metaphyseal bone density decreased 27 and 18% in the immobilized limbs of postadolescent and mature rabbits, respectively. Calcein green fluorescence increased 1.9‐fold (p < 0.001) in the metaphyseal trabeculae of immobilized femurs. With immobilization, sulfate incorporation into femoral cartilage glycosaminoglycan increased, although total cartilage glycosaminoglycan and hydroxyproline levels were unchanged. Thymidine incorporation into DNA increased four‐ to fivefold in tibial and femoral cartilage of the immobilized limb. In this study, bone loss and remodeling preceded erosive cartilage degradation.