Effects of Continuous Active Motion on The Repair of Articular Cartilage Defects with Free Periosteal Grafts

Abstract

In this study 25 rabits were used. 15 were used for experiment and 10 for control 7 x 14 mm full layer defects were produced on knee joint cartilage and then repaired with free autogenous periosteal grafts. The defects were made on the weight bearing areas of the medial condyles of the femurs full thickness periosteal graft were taken from the upper part of the anterior tibia of 15 rabbits and then placed, so that the cambium layer faced the joint, and sutured to the synovial membrane with 6.0 vircyl. The control group was of grafted producing defects. The rabbits were immobilized for two hours postoperatively, and then allowed to be active. The rabbits on the experimental group were killed on the third, sixth and ninth week, and the rabbits of the control group were killed on the ninth week. The distal femurs of 25 rabbits were removed and examined both with microscopically and histologically. The types of collagen (phenotyping) were determined biochemically. When the assessments were made, it is noticed that the joint surfaces of the rabbits which were repaired with periosteal grafting were smooth, a tissue resembling hyaline joint cartilage had developed and the synthesis of type II collagen was 85%. The joint surfaces of the control group were rough and covered with fibrous tissue and the synthesis of collagen were type I. According to these findings, we suggest that the biological repair of the cartilage defects is possible with free autogenous periosteal grafting.