title: Intermittent active motion versus immobilization in the treatment of Staphylococcus aureus-induced arthritis in a rabbit model.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study has evaluated the effects of immobilization versus intermittent active motion on cartilage and on antibiotic efficacy in a rabbit septic arthritis model.
  
  
  METHODS
  Rabbits were infected and assigned to one of four groups: group 1, no treatment without immobilization (allowing intermittent active motion); group 2, cast; group 3, oxacillin without immobilization; group 4, oxacillin and cast. Animals were sacrificed 21 days later. Bacterial counts and lateral radiograms were performed. A radiological score was calculated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Immobilization had no effect on oxacillin efficacy and a deleterious effect on the radiological score.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Intermittent active motion has allowed a better cartilage healing during the treatment of septic arthritis.
authors.affiliation: Laboratoire d'Antibiologie Clinique et Expérimentale UPRES EA 3826, Faculté de Médecine, Université de Nantes, Nantes, France, antoine.hamel@chu-nantes.fr.
authors.forename: Antoine
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hamel
authors.forename: Jocelyne
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Caillon
authors.forename: Cédric
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Jacqueline
authors.forename: Eric
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Batard
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Boutoille
authors.forename: Denis
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Bugnon
authors.forename: Anne-Françoise
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Miégeville
authors.forename: Jean-Michel
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Rogez
authors.forename: Gilles
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Potel