Articular cartilage thickness and glycosaminoglycan distribution in the young canine knee joint after remobilization of the immobilized limb

The recovery of articular cartilage from atrophy induced by joint immobilization was investigated in immature dogs. In a previous study, we showed that 11 weeks of immobilization of the knee (stifle) joint of young dogs reduced the concentration of articular cartilage glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) by 13-47%. In the present study, right hindlimbs from six female beagles were immobilized for 11 weeks, as in the previous study, and then were remobilized for 15 weeks. Cartilage from the knee joint was compared with cartilage from nonimmobilized knees of eight age-matched control beagles. Histological samples taken from 11 different locations of the knee joint were stained with safranin O, and microspectrophotometry was used to demonstrate distribution of GAGs in the tissue. After remobilization, GAG concentration was restored in the patellofemoral region and tibial condyles. On the summits of the femoral condyles, and especially at the periphery of the femoral condyles, GAG concentration remained 8-26% less than the control values. On the summits, the thickness of the uncalcified cartilage was as much as 15% less than in the age-matched controls. Consequently, the changes induced by unloading were reversible to a great extent, but a full restoration of articular cartilage was not obtained at all sites of the knee joint within the 15 weeks of remobilization. Immobilization of the skeletally immature joint therefore may affect the development of articular cartilage in such a way that very slow recovery or permanent alterations are induced.