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Published on: November 9, 2018
Intermittent active motion versus immobilization in the treatment of Staphylococcus aureus-induced arthritis in a
Antoine Hamel1, Jocelyne Caillon, Cédric Jacqueline
1Laboratoire d'Antibiologie Clinique et Expérimentale UPRES EA 3826, Faculté de Médecine, Université de Nantes, Nantes, France, antoine.hamel@chu-nantes.fr.
Purpose:
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.
Conclusion:
Intermittent active motion has allowed a better cartilage healing during the treatment of septic arthritis.

