Experimental Study of Ligament Healing in the Synovial Fluid in Rabbits : Intrinsic Healing

Taek Keun Kwon, Kin Han Cha, Yang Woo Kim

Copyright ⓒ 1994. Ewha Womans University School of Medicine. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/) which permits unrestricted non-commercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Published Online: Sep 30, 1994

Abstract

Reports suggesting that the tendon itself could play is a significant part in the repair process without provision of microcirculation. To investigate the importance of nutritive environment in the healing of reconstructed tendons, the morphology of sutured free tendons in the synovial fluid of the knee joint, without resstablishment of micrecirculation,was studied in rabbits.

Material and Methods

The strip of flexor tendon was harvested and divided 2 pieces and repaired with interrupted suture. The knee joit then opened medially through a small incision and repaired tendon strip was transplanted into the open knee joint. After 2 weeks(n=10), 4 weeks(n=10), 6 weeks(n=10) and 8 weeks(n=10), the sutured tendon was removed from the joint and examined histology and measured tensile strength.

Results

Mactoscopically the surface of all piece was smooth and glistening. Fibroblasts were appeared in the sutured gap and produced collagen fiber and after 6 weeks many portions of collagen fibers were maturated. The gain of tensile strength was proportional to the time till 8 weeks.

The findings indicate that diffusion of nutrients may be important for the survival and reconstresstablishment of the microcirculation.

Keywords: Tendon; Synovial fluid; Intrinsic healing