0669 - Effect of Meniscal Repair and Hyaluronan Treatment on Cartilage Degeneration of the Femur and Tibia in the Rabbit

INTRODUCTION The surgical repair of traumatic tears of the meniscus may enhance tissue remodeling, help to maintain the stability of the knee joint, and prevent osteoarthritic changes. After repair of the experimentally lacerated meniscus, treatment by intra-articular injections of hyaluronan (HA) has been shown to enhance meniscal remodeling [2]. HA treatment also appears to slow the degeneration of cartilage following experimental transection of the anterior cruciate ligament [3]. Clinical experience indicates cartilage damage leads to degeneration of the apposing and surrounding articular cartilage. We hypothesized that meniscal injury may have similar deleterious effects on the articular cartilage of the tibial plateau and femoral condyle, and that administration of HA may attenuate this effect. The objectives of this study were to determine the extent of degeneration of the femorotibial articular cartilage surfaces in the rabbit knee, and the effect of HA treatment on the cartilage after meniscal repair, using digital video image analysis after Indian Ink staining [1].