[Biorheologic study of pathological synovial fluids]

Rheometric studies of 34 synovial fluids done using a rheometer with a cone and stage (Shirley-Ferranti type) showed that arthrotic synovial fluids had pseudoplastic characteristics (non-Newtonian) but in inflammatory rheumatisms, the characteristics index rises, the consistency decreases and the fluid tends to loose its pseudoplastic properties and to become Newtonian. Radioisotope synoviorthosis seems capable of restoring to a certain extent and in certain cases the rheometric characteristics of the pseudoplastic properties.