Arbab Abdul Wadood.
Effects of Experimental Immobilization with and without forceful compression on the Femoral Articular Cartilage of the Rabbit knee joint.
Pak Armed Forces Med J Jan ;52(1):12-6.

Objective: This study was conducted to see the adverse effects of immobilization, in a neutral and forced position, without using compression devices, on the femoral articular cartilage of the rabbit knee joint. Design: Left knee joints of rabbits were immobilized by a plaster of Paris cast in positions of either extension or semiflexion. After a period of 1 to 6 weeks of immobilization, animals were sacrificed, knee joints were dissected and femoral articular cartilages examined both macroscopically and microscopically. This study was carried out at Basic Medical Sciences Institute, Karachi. Results: No lesion was observed in the articular carrtilages before 4 weeks. At the end of 4th week of immobilization in extension, articular cartilages showed radial splitting and between 5 to 6 weeks articular cartilages were completely necrosed in the area of contact. An articular cartilages of joints immobilized in semiflexion for 6 weeks exhibited normal features. Conclusion: Immobilization of a joint in extension i.e, forced position, resulted in pressure necrosis of the articular cartilage in the area of contact. Immobilization in semiflexion i.e, neutral position, caused no alteration in the morphology of articular cartilage.

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