Effects of treadmill running and limb immobilization on knee cartilage degeneration and locomotor joint kinematics in rats following knee meniscal transection.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

This study examined the effects of reduced and elevated weight bearing on post-traumatic osteoarthritis (PTOA) development, locomotor joint kinematics, and degree of voluntary activity in rats following medial meniscal transection (MMT).

Design

Twenty-one adult rats were subjected to MMT surgery of the left hindlimb and then assigned to one of three groups: (1) regular (i.e., no intervention), (2) hindlimb immobilization, or (3) treadmill running. Sham surgery was performed in four additional rats. Voluntary wheel run time/distance was measured, and 3D hindlimb kinematics were quantified during treadmill locomotion using biplanar radiography. Rats were euthanized 8 weeks after MMT or sham surgery, and the microstructure of the tibial cartilage and subchondral bone

SUBMITTER: Tsai LC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7576441 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature