The volume of synovial fluid in human knee joints was determined by the dilution method through the intra-articular injection of 35 ml 0.5% hydroxyethyl starch in saline. In 15 control knees the mean synovial volume was 6.7 +/- 2.3 ml (mean +/- SD). In patients with latent gonarthrosis we found a mean intra-articular volume of 13.6 +/- 7.4 ml (n = 21) and in activated gonarthrosis 24.2 +/- 16.3 ml (n = 34). All 3 groups differ significantly. After entire aspiration of the effusion, we found yet 13.4 +/- 4.4 ml (n = 32) synovial fluid in the knee joint. Using the dilution method, we obtained a punctate from each knee joint. The punctates can be used for biochemical investigations. Since the dilution factors of the punctates are known, the concentrations of HWM parameters in the original synovial fluid can be calculated.

Humans↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Experimental studies of mechanically-induced articular cartilage defects following implantation of allogeneic embryonal chondrocytes in a collagen-fibrin gel in chickens].

Full thickness defects (diameter 1,7 mm; depth 2,5 mm) were created mechanically in articular cartilage and subchondral bone of the condyles of tibiotarsal joints of 9-month old chickens. This full-thickness defects were repaired with cultured allogenic embryonic chick epiphyseal chondrocytes from the tibiae and femura of 10-days-old chicken embryos. The cells were embedded in a collagen-fibrinogen-matrix. Controls were similarly operated, but received either no treatment or implants the delivery substance only. Healing of the defects was observed macroscopically, histologically, histochemically and histomorphometrically after 3, 12 and 24 weeks. This graft was successfully transplanted in mechanically induced defects in 80%. The resulting hyaline cartilage was structurally reorganized according to the host pattern and under the influence of environmental conditions. The articular zone preserved it's cartilaginous phenotype, whereas the subchondral regions were transformed into bone. 12 weeks after the operation the defects in the experimental group were completely filled. In all instances in this group, there was an initial extreme increase of mitotic rate and cell number. After 24 weeks normal and subnormal values were founded. The defects in the control groups healed with fibrocartilage. Our results showed, that only the defects in the experimental group were completely filled with reparative hyaline cartilage tissue. In the present study the mixture of cultured allogenic embryonic chondrocytes and a collagen-fibrinogen-matrix was used successfully as a transplant for repairing defects in articular cartilage of chickens. Thus allogenic transplantation of cultured embryonal chondrocytes appears to be one of the most promising methods for the restoration of articular cartilage.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Plasminogen activator activity of the synovial fluid as an indicator of activation phenomena in degenerative joint diseases].

Activity of plasminogen activator in synovial fluids of patients with osteoarthritis was determined by a radial diffusion assay. Synovial fluid from human knee joints was obtained by joint lavage with 35 ml physiological saline containing 0.5% hydroxyethyl starch. Synovial fluids from contralateral, healthy knee joints served as controls. The activity of plasminogen activator in synovial fluid from activated (painful) osteoarthritis is significantly higher than in cases of latent osteoarthritis, whereas the activity of controls is significantly lower as in latent osteoarthritis. The findings are helpful for the discovery of patients with enhanced plasminogen activator levels in synovia which should be treated therapeutically.

Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Risk of hemorrhage in the knee joint following intraarticular injections].

The relative and absolute blood contents in the knee joint after intraarticular injections were determined using a biochemical joint function test. Normally, only minimal amounts of blood leak into the joint cavity, but in a few cases greater quantities were found, unnoticed at the time of injection. Intraarticular injections should be done only by a specialist.

Blood Volume↗