Articular cartilage deformation following experimental synovitis in the rabbit hip

Abstract

The development of transient synovitis in the hips of young children occurs quite frequently. This experiment examined the effects of a model synovitis on the deformability of articular cartilage of the immature rabbit hip. At 1, 2, 3, and 4 weeks following synovitis, there was an increase of cartilage deformability on both the acetabular and femoral sides of the joint. This increased deformability may alter force transmission to the underlying bone and its contained vascular structures.

Transient synovitis of the hip in the child: Increased levels of proteoglycan fragments in joint fluid

“…Use of animal models has shown that the joint cartilage in synovitis has an increased deformability both on the acetabular and femoral sides of the joint (9). The release of cartilage proteoglycan in the human disease shown in the present study can be expected to decrease the proteoglycan concentration within the cartilage tissue and may cause a similar temporary increase in deformability of the hip cartilage of the child.…”

“…Several experimental animal models have been used to mimic human arthritis and synovitis (2,7,13,20). The synovitis induced in the rabbit hip by intraarticular injection of talcum powder shows many similarities to transient synovitis of the hip in the child (8,9). In the rabbit, induction of synovitis leads to rapid loss of cartilage glycosaminoglycan, increased tissue hydration, and increased deformability of the joint cartilage.…”

“…In the rabbit, induction of synovitis leads to rapid loss of cartilage glycosaminoglycan, increased tissue hydration, and increased deformability of the joint cartilage. The joint cartilage of the child with transient synovitis may be similarly affected (9), but no data have been presented to confirm the applicability of the animal model to the human disease. In this study, we present evidence for dramatically increased levels of cartilage proteoglycan fragments in joint fluid from children with transient and septic synovitis of the hip.…”

Transient Synovitis of the Hip in the Child

“…It was also demonstrated by Gershuni et al (1981) that there is an immediate response in the cartilage with increased cartilage volume due to increased hydration and decrease in glycosaminoglycan concentration following experimentally induced synovitis. As a consequence of this there is an early deterioration of the mechanical properties of the joint cartilage with increased deformability of the femoral head cartilage as well as that of the acetabulum (Gershuni & Kuei 1984). However, 3 weeks after induction of synovitis there is an increase of cartilage mass due not only to hydration but also to an increase in matrix metabolism and production.…”

Carrageenan-induced coxitis in puppies

“…Another hypothesis on the role of synovitis in Perthes' disease has been suggested by Gershuni and Kuei (1984). They showed in a talcum-induced synovitis in the rabbit hip a loss of mechanical properties of joint cartilage rendering the subchondral bone more susceptible to microfracture.…”