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No beneficial effects of joint distraction on early microscopical changes in osteoarthrotic knees. A study in rabbits.

Karadam B, Karatosun V, Murat N, Ozkal S, Gunal I

Department of Orthopaedics, School of Medicine, Dokuz Eylul University, Izmir, Turkey.

BACKGROUND: Although promising results have been reported, on the use of joint distraction in osteoarthrotic joints, the mechanism behind the effects has not yet been expland. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 24 rabbits were randomly divided into 4 groups and osteoarthrosis was induced by papain injection. The first group served as control and the others were treated by simple external fixation (group 2), articulated distraction (group 3) or nonarticulated distraction (group 4). RESULTS: Histologically, there was no significant difference between the first, the second and the third groups. However, osteoarthrosis increased in group 4. INTERPRETATION: We conclude that joint distraction has no beneficial effect on the osteoarthrotic cartilage in papain-induced osteoarthrosis, and nonarticulated distraction worsens the results.

Published 24 March 2005 in Acta Orthop, 76(1): 95-8.
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