Acute hemarthrosis: A histological, biochemical, and biomechanical correlation of early effects on the anterior cruciate ligament in a rabbit model

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
The early histological, biochemical, and biomechanical characteristics of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) were determined in a rabbit model of acute hemarthrosis. The ACLs of 19 rabbits were given seven consecutive daily knee injections of 2 ml of fresh autologous blood, and then compared to contralateral ACLs from control knees injected with 2 ml of lactated Ringer's solution daily for 7 days. The rabbits were then sacrificed. Synovial proliferation with iron deposition within synoviocytes was observed; however, the architecture of the ACL was maintained. Additionally, the total collagen content, collagenase activity, and biomechanical properties of the ACL were unaltered.