Postoperative synovial fluid. Metabolic response to meniscectomy or synovectomy

The metabolic response of synovial tissue to surgery was investigated by synovial fluid analysis after two types of operations, medial meniscectomy and synovectomy. Analyses of intra-articular fluid were also performed in non-operated patients with traumatic effusion or chronic synovitis in the knee. It was found that the knee joint metabolism in chronic synovitis is shifted towards anaerobic glycolysis in both operated and non-operated patients whereas meniscectomized and traumatized knees are more capable of maintaining oxidative metabolism. The data also demonstrate that one of the main reasons for decreased oxygen supply on the articular surface after meniscectomies or synovectomies is excessive intra-articular effusion which, according to earlier investigations, produces pressure in the joint cavity and inhibits local capillary circulation.