Abstract
Ten New Zealand White rabbits underwent anterior cruciate ligament transection (ACLX), then reconstruction using a mersiline tape graft and mitek mini anchors. Animals were divided into two groups and sacrificed at six and fourteen week after surgery. Medial collateral ligament (MCL)-complexes were evaluated for joint laxity, and periarticular tissues evaluated for changes in vascular volume. Both reconstructed groups showed significantly reduced MCL-complex laxity and inflammatory angiogenesis compared to ACLX controls. This reconstructive method (using an artificial graft) provided transient restabilization out to 6 and 14 wk after ACLX in the rabbit, with a high 80% success rate of intact grafts.
To refine a method of ACL reconstruction in the New Zealand White (NZW) rabbit to study angiogenic adaptations in a restabilized knee joint.
The artificial graft approach provided transient restabilization out to six and fourteen week post ACLX with an 80% success rate, and reduced MCL-complex laxity and inflammatory angiogenesis.
Addressing joint instability after ACLX reduces inflammatory angiogenesis and mechanical deterioration in peri-articular tissues, and delays the progression of OA.
Compared to normal control tissues, loss of the ACL resulted in marked joint instability, and significantly increased vascular volumes in all periarticular tissues examined six and fourteen week post-ACLX. However, following transient restabilization using reconstructive surgery, MCL-complex laxity and periarticular tissue vascular volume were significantly reduced at both the six and fourteen week intervals compared to ACLX controls.
ACL reconstructive surgery was performed on the right knee of ten skeletally mature NZW rabbits using a mersiline tape graft and mitek mini anchors, immediately after the ACL had been transected. MCL-complex laxity was measured in all joints using established biomechanical procedures. To assess the effect of joint restabilization six and fourteen week after ACL reconstruction, limbs were infused with a 5% carmine red dye/5% gelatin solution, and the vascular volume of periarticular tissues was detemined.
The artificial graft approach to rabbit ACL reconstruction resulted in a high success rate of intact grafts 6 and 14 wk post-ACLX. The transient restabilization of an ACLX knee joint results in less inflammatory angio-genesis in periarticular tissues.
Funding: CIHR
Correspondence should be addressed to Cynthia Vezina, Communications Manager, COA, 4150-360 Ste. Catherine St. West, Westmount, QC H3Z 2Y5, Canada
