Joint Cartilage Alterations in Experimental Septic Arthritis with Antibiotic and Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug Treatment

Abstract

Purpose: Despite accurate treatment septic arthritis may lead to joint cartilage destruction. In this study the effects of the prophylactic antibiotics, antibiotic treatment after the inoculation of the infection and the effects of the antibiotic and non-steroid antiinflamatory drugs were evaluated. Material and
Methods: Experimental septic arthritis was induced by the intraarticular injection of Staphylococcus aureus in rabbits. In the 1st rabbit group antibiotic was started as prophylaxis, in the 2nd group antibiotic treatment was started after the inoculation of the infection agent; for the 3rd group non-steroid antiinflamatory drugs were used concomitantly with systemic antibiotics. Three weeks later, the animals were sacrificed and macroscopic and microscopic evaluation of the joints were performed.
Results: In the Group 1 no obvious cartilage destruction was detected. In the other two groups, histologic findings which indicate surface erosion, pannus formation and cellularity were evident.
Conclusion: For the late treated septic arthritis cases, even following a successfully treated infection, cartilage destruction is inevitable. The role of the prophylactic antibiotic in the joint infections, is important to avoid joint cartilage destruction.