[Experimental studies of the osteochondral allograft].
An experiment was carried out to investigate the influence of the mechanical effect of compression force on the osteochondral allograft. The patello-femoral articular region of the rabbit was selected as the site of allograft and specimens were histologically examined using light microscope postoperatively. The gap between allograft and recipient was filled with connective tissue originating from the subchondral bone. The connective tissue was then replaced by hyaline cartilage until 16 weeks after transplantation. The degenerative changes in the cartilage layer tended to progress from 2 to 24 weeks. They were most marked at 12 weeks and then were less conspicuous later. Up to 24th week after the allograft operation, operative procedure, nutritional disorder and possibly immunological reaction were considered to play important roles in the production of degenerative changes in the cartilage. In cases of subsequent course, mechanical effect by compression force appeared to play a major role for the degenerative changes. We therefore conclude that weight bearing should be deferred for a long time after allograft operation.
D000818:Animals; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D002358:Cartilage, Articular / Q000473:pathology / Q000637:transplantation* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D011817:Rabbits; D014184:Transplantation, Homologous