The death of articular chondrocytes after intra-articular fracture in humans.

BACKGROUND

In this study, we wished to determine whether chondrocyte death occurs after intra-articular fracture and might thus contribute to the development of posttraumatic arthritis.

METHODS

Articular fracture fragments were obtained from 30 patients and the terminal deoxynucleotide transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling assay was used to identify dead or dying cells.

RESULTS

Dead or dying cells were identified in all fracture fragments, with an average rate of cell death of 35%. Rates of cell death greater than 90% were seen in 4 of the 30 specimens studied.

CONCLUSION

Although rates of apoptosis in osteoarthritis have been reported to average 15%, the rate in this fracture population was more than twice this value (35%). The high rate of cell death noted here may help explain the occurrence of posttraumatic arthritis even in anatomically fixed intra-articular fractures.