Effect of salicylate therapy on cartilage destruction in experimental pyarthrosis.

An experimental rabbit pyarthrosis model was utilized to investigate the effects of sodium salicylate therapy on cartilage destruction. Animals were innoculated with 10(3) organisms of Staphylococcus aureus 502A. The opposite knee was injected with sterile saline. Infection was documented 48 hours post innoculation, procaine penicillin therapy initiated, and the adequacy of therapy evaluated at sacrifice. One half of the animals began salicylate feedings one week prior to injection and this continued until sacrifice at 14 or 49 days. Salicylate levels were 12.5 +/- 6.9 mg %. There was a significant loss of cartilage in both the salicylate treated and untreated animals. The levels of salicylate obtained in this study were not protective to cartilage in a septic joint.