INTRAARTICULAR PRESSURE AND THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SYNOVIAL PERFUSION AND METABOLIC DEMAND

  • 1 April 1990
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 17  (4) , 521-527
Abstract
We examined the influence of intraarticular pressure on products of synovial energy metabolism in patients with knee effusions. A range of intraarticular pressures was generated by controlled flexion. Pressures .gtoreq. 45 mm Hg were associated with increased synovial fluid lactate concentrations and pCO2, and decreased pH. Our results suggest that pressures .gtoreq. 45 mm Hg, which we also observed during standing and walking, can cause synovial ischemia and hypoxia manifest in a perfusion/metabolic demand mismatch. Monitoring changes in SF concentrations of uric acid did not provide consistent evidence for accelerated purine degradation following periods of inadequate perfusion. Overall, our results suggest that synovial blood flow can be compromised by modest elevations in intraarticular pressure in the range encountered during daily activity in patients with knee effusions.