SURFACE CHANGES IN THE ARTICULAR CARTILAGE OF RABBIT KNEE DURING IMMOBILIZATION. A SCANNING ELECTRON MICROSCOPIC STUDY OF EXPERIMENTAL OSTEOARTHRITIS

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Abstract
Osteoarthritis was produced by the immobilization of rabbit knees in extension for 1-8 wk (with a subsequent mobilization period of 0 or 8 wk). Development of articular surface changes in the tibia, femur and patella was examined with scanning electron microscopy (SEM). During the development of osteoarthritis the normal undulations and fine regular fiber network disappeared, the number of fibers and the variation in the thickness of the fiber bundles increased and scaly irregularities appeared. Some degenerative changes in the contralateral, non-immobilized hind limb appeared. Normal features of the articular surface of the patella differed from those of the tibial and femoral condyles. SEM changes correlated well with previous histological and biochemical results, but, at 1 wk of immobilization, SEM changes were more readily apparent than histological changes. SEM method seems to be useful for the study of articular surfaces. The area studied must be defined.