Late effects of corticosteroid treatment on condylar regeneration in the monkey

The mandibular condyles of immature baboons were used to study the late effects of intraarticular administration of glucocorticoid hormone on the regeneration of cartilage and bone. Analyses of blood and urine showed a distinct increase in the level of parathyroid hormone along with hyperphosphaturia. Regenerated condyles of animals treated with steroid showed lack of de novo formation of cartilage and severe changes in the newly formed bone. Fibrosis became the dominant feature in the newly formed bone marrow. The initial catabolic effect of glucocorticoid hormone was augmented by steroid-induced secondary hyperparathyroidism.