The early response of articular cartilage to ACL transection in a canine model.

Ten outbred dogs underwent unilateral transection of the anterior cruciate ligament of the knee (stifle) joint with sacrifice from 6 to 27 weeks post-operatively. On the operated side were found mild degenerative changes histologically and evidence of increased proteoglycan synthesis with no net loss of uronic acid. Water content was increased in the medial femoral condyle. Contralateral knees showed evidence of increased proteoglycan synthesis and uronic acid content without histologic cartilage lesions.