[Experimental study of degenerative arthritis of the patello-femoral joint]

In order to investigate the pathological changes and stages of development of degenerative arthritis, a model of degenerative arthritis of patello-femoral joint was established in 30 rabbits by shortening the patellar tendon by 4 mm. The animals were killed 1,2,4,6,8,12 weeks after operation, and the results showed that the compression force between patella and femoral condyle increased 1/4 and a typical change of degenerative arthritis was a observed grossly and histologically and ultrastructurally. The authors consider that this kind of model may be used for further study of prevention and treatment of degenerative arthritis.