An Experimental Study on New Zelland Rabbits - The Histopathologic Research of Tricompartmantal Degenerative Changes in Both Knees in the Complete and Combined Tears of ACL and PCL Part II

Abstract

Aim: The aim of this research to study the changes in cartilage and osteocartilage tricompartmantally, menisci and other ligaments that is resulted by complete and combined tears of AKL and PKL in the effected and uneffected contrlateral knee. Materials and
Methods: 20 mature, male New Zelland type rabbits were sepereted into four groups. Following procedures were performed in right knees of the subjects in that order: Complete cut of AKL, in the first group; Complete cut of PKL in 2nd one; and finally, as a control group, only the capsules were opened and then sutured back in the 3rd group. 90 days later, AKL, PKL, MKL, LKL, medial- lateral menisci, patellofemoral and tibiofemoral articular cartilage of the both knees were examined histopathologically.
Results: Findings were recorded according to the histopathological criterias of Gritzka at all. Significant degenerative changes were observed in combined tears in all three compartments of the knee. Meniscal pathology was detected in complete AKL tears more than PKL. Degenerative effects on patellofemoral joint were caused by combined tears, isolated AKL and isolated PKL tears, sequentially. Additionally, some degenerative findings were observed in contralateral knees
Conclusion: Combined AKL and PKL tears may lead to significant knee instability, compared with isolated tears. It is important to protect the meniscii in AKL tears. It should be in mind that contralateral knee may not be totally normal and cannot be used as a control group in this kind of studies..