Articular Cartilage Formation by Continuous Joint Movement with External Fixato

Research Project

Project/Area Number	03557062
Research Category	Grant-in-Aid for Developmental Scientific Research (B)
Allocation Type	Single-year Grants
Research Field	Orthopaedic surgery
Research Institution	The University of Tokyo
Principal Investigator	ODA Hiromi (1992-1993) The University of Tokyo, Medical School, Ass.Prof, 医学部, 講師 (60101698) 落合直之 (1991) 東京大学, 医学部(病)・整形外科, 講師 (30134563)
Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha)	OKAZAKI Hiroshi Tsukuba Univ., of Tokyo, Medical School, Instr., 医学部, 助手 (30241988) OCHIAI Naoyuki Tsukuba Univ., Medical School, Ass.Prof, 医学部, 助教授 (30134563) NAGAMURA Kozo The University of Tokyo, Medical School, Ass.Prof, 医学部, 助教授 (60126133) NAGANO Akira The University of Tokyo, Medical School, Ass.Prof, 医学部, 助教授 (30111537) KUROKAWA Takahide The University of Tokyo, Medical School, Professor, 医学部, 教授 (90010298) 福井尚志東京大学, 医学部(病), 助手田尻康人東京大学, 医学部(病), 医員木村雅弘東京大学, 医学部(病), 医員酒井宏哉東京大学, 医学部(病)・整形外科, 助手 (40205711) 中村茂東京大学, 医学部(病)・整形外科, 助手 (10189037)
Project Period (FY)	1991 – 1993
Project Status	Completed (Fiscal Year 1993)
Budget Amount *help	¥17,100,000 (Direct Cost: ¥17,100,000) Fiscal Year 1993: ¥1,000,000 (Direct Cost: ¥1,000,000) Fiscal Year 1992: ¥900,000 (Direct Cost: ¥900,000) Fiscal Year 1991: ¥15,200,000 (Direct Cost: ¥15,200,000)
Keywords	Cartilage formation / External fixator / Continuous Joint Movement / Distraction force / 創外固定器 / 関節形成術 / 圧迫力 / 関節造成システム / CPM / 軟骨形成 / 関節形成 / 持続他動運動
Research Abstract	It is generaly accepted that cartilage regeneration is very difficult. The purpose of this research project is to develop the methods for cartilage regeneration. We performed three basic type of experiments. Experiment 1. After all of the cartilage material was removed from rabbit knee joints, continuous passive movement was applied to the joints by using external fixators under contact, or non-contact, conditions. Eight weeks later, hyaline cartilage were made only under non-contact conditions. Experiment 2.3 mm diameter defects were created surgically in the femoral condyles of rabbit knee joints. External fixators were attached around the joints and active movement was allowed under both contact, and non-contact, conditions. Four weeks later, cartilage regeneration had occurred, only under non-contact conditions. Experiment 3. Distraction force was applied to rabbit knee joints, using external fixators. Cartilage degeneration occurred nine weeks later. From these results, we conclude, that continuous movement, under non-contact condition, is necessary for cartilage regeneration, and commpressive force is necessary for maintaining normal cartilage function.