Intermittent active motion versus immobilization in the treatment of Staphylococcus aureus-induced arthritis in a rabbit model.
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.
Hamel
Antoine
A
Laboratoire d'Antibiologie Clinique et Expérimentale UPRES EA 3826, Faculté de Médecine, Université de Nantes, Nantes, France, antoine.hamel@chu-nantes.fr.
Caillon
Jocelyne
J
Jacqueline
Cédric
C
Batard
Eric
E
Boutoille
David
D
Bugnon
Denis
D
Miégeville
Anne-Françoise
AF
Rogez
Jean-Michel
JM
Potel
Gilles
G