EFFECTS OF MENISCECTOMY AND ANTERIOR CRUCIATE LIGAMENT TRANSECTION ONRABBIT KNEE-JOINT IN-VITRO MECHANICS AND CARTILAGE GROSS MORPHOLOGY

The effects of meniscectomy and anterior cruciate ligament transection on knee joint compression compliance, capacity of energy storage and cartilage gross morphology were studied in rabbits six and 12 weeks po stoperatively. Joints with meniscectomy and intact ligaments at 12 wee ks had a similar joint compression compliance as sham-operated joints with intact menisci, but had moderate unicompartmental osteoarthritis. Further, the capacity of energy storage of such a joint was reduced. Knees with anterior cruciate ligament transection had a higher joint c ompression compliance than knees with intact joint structures. Anterio r cruciate ligament transection caused severe cartilage degeneration o f both knee compartments at 6 weeks, but in knees with intact menisci the tibial cartilage was better preserved than in knees with meniscect omy. Synovitis was pronounced in anterior cruciate ligament transected knees. In conclusion, meniscectomy reduced the capacity of energy sto rage of the joint and was followed by moderate unicompartmental cartil age degeneration at 12 weeks. Anterior cruciate ligament transection e specially when combined with meniscectomy led during a similar observa tion period to more dramatic effects on joint compression compliance a nd morphology.