Sparing effect of neurological deficit and trauma on the course of adjuvant arthritis in the rat.

Open Access
Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
A patient exhibiting the possible sparing effect of a previous unrepaired section of a flexor tendon on the development of a probable rheumatoid and a subsequent osteo-arthritis in the finger is described. Previously reported clinical examples of the arthritis-sparing effect of hemiplegia, nerve section, and bony non-union are reviewed. An attempt was made to alter the course and extent of adjuvant arthritis in rats induced by Mycobacterium butyricum in oil, by a variety of procedures, including unilateral sciatic nerve section, femoral fracture, spinal cord injury, and application of a mixed oscillating and direct current over a hind limb. In 20 of 31 arthritic rats prior section of one sciatic nerve appeared to delay the onset and diminish the extent of arthritis in the operated limb. Twelve of the 18 arthritic rats subjected to femur fracture developed arthritis later and less extensively in the injured than in the uninjured hind limb, in 4 the arthritis was the same each side, and in 2 arthritic changes were more severe in the fractured limb. After surgical damage to the spinal cord, 3 rats showed a more extensive arthritis in a single paralyzed hind limb, one with both hind limbs paralyzed showed a similar arthritis, and 2 others developed a more severe arthritis in the hind limb with flaccid paralysis. The use of a mixture of oscillating and direct electric current with the positive pole on a hind foot pad in five rats was followed by the appearance of a more extensive arthritis in this limb.