Effects of hemarthrosis on cartilage and synovium in rabbits

Purpose To provide experimental basis for clinic treatment by observing the effects of simple acute hematoma on cartilage and synovium, and improvement of hyaluronic acid (HA) on the damage. Methods Twenty-four New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided 3 groups according to killed time: hematoma group, HA group and control group. These rabbits were killed at 4 days, 2, 4 and 8 weeks, respectively. Results Knee articular cartilage and synovium were obtained to detect histology, histochemistry and chondroitin proteoglycans (PG). Morphologies of cartilage and synovium in the control group were normal, while cartilage cells were detected hyperplasia of activation and each layer was disorganized in hematoma groups with 4 days and 2 weeks. Compared to the control group, concentrations of PG in 4 days and 2 weeks groups were significantly reduced ( p