title: Intraarticular pressure and the relationship between synovial perfusion and metabolic demand.
abstract: We examined the influence of intraarticular pressure on products of synovial energy metabolism in patients with knee effusions. A range of intraarticular pressures was generated by controlled flexion. Pressures greater than or equal to 45 mm Hg were associated with increased synovial fluid lactate concentrations and pCO2, and decreased pH. Our results suggest that pressures greater than or equal to 45 mm Hg, which we also observed during standing and walking, can cause synovial ischemia and hypoxia manifest in a perfusion/metabolic demand mismatch. Monitoring changes in SF concentrations of uric acid did not provide consistent evidence for accelerated purine degradation following periods of inadequate perfusion. Overall, our results suggest that synovial blood flow can be compromised by modest elevations in intraarticular pressure in the range encountered during daily activity in patients with knee effusions.
authors.affiliation: Morialta Trust Rheumatology Research Laboratory, Royal Adelaide Hospital, Australia.
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: James
authors.forename: L G
authors.initials: LG
authors.lastname: Cleland
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Rofe
authors.forename: A L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Leslie
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002245:Carbon Dioxide / Q000378:metabolism; D004734:Energy Metabolism; D005947:Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D007596:Joints / Q000502:physiology*; D007773:Lactates / Q000378:metabolism; D019344:Lactic Acid; D008875:Middle Aged; D009994:Osmolar Concentration; D010477:Perfusion; D011312:Pressure; D013582:Synovial Fluid / Q000378:metabolism*; D014527:Uric Acid / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D007773:Lactates; D002245:Carbon Dioxide; D014527:Uric Acid; D019344:Lactic Acid; D005947:Glucose