Synovial oxygen partial pressure after experimental microtraumatic joint affection.

We have developed a method allowing the direct determination of the synovial oxygen partial pressure (pO2) in vivo by using puncture electrodes. The investigations were carried out on the knee joints of young adult rabbits. Immediately after a defined microtraumatization of the left knee joints, there was a decrease in the synovial pO2 down to an average of 72% of an initial value obtained from untreated control animals. But 42 and 84 days after loading, a significant rise in the synovial pO2 was detectable. The unloaded contralateral joints showed a slight consensual reaction. The dynamics of the synovial pO2 after the microtraumatization of joints is under discussion on the basis of results of micromorphological studies of the articular cartilage and the synovial membrane.