Effects of a delayed steroid injection on ligament healing using a rabbit medial collateral ligament model.
Corticosteroids are known to inhibit collagen synthesis in vitro as well as having a deleterious effect on ligament healing when applied immediately following injury. An acute injection of betamethasone into a transected rabbit medial collateral ligament significantly impaired the biomechanical and histological properties compared to non-injected transected ligaments. Differences in mechanical, histological and biochemical properties were observed up to 3 months following injury and an acute steroid injection. The present study explored the effects of a corticosteroid (betamethasone) injection 7 days following the initial injury. Biomechanical and histomorphometric analyses were carried determine if the previously observed deleterious effects of a corticosteroid injection immediately following injury can be linked to an interference in the inflammatory phase of healing due to the presence of the corticosteroid.
Walsh
W R
WR
Department of Orthopaedics, Brown University School of Medicine, Rhode Island Hospital, Providence 02902, USA.
Wiggins
M E
ME
Fadale
P D
PD
Ehrlich
M G
MG
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000818:Animals; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000633:toxicity*; D001623:Betamethasone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000633:toxicity*; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D003094:Collagen / Q000096:biosynthesis; D005260:Female; D017888:Medial Collateral Ligament, Knee / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology / Q000502:physiology; D011817:Rabbits; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000187:drug effects*
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D003094:Collagen; D001623:Betamethasone