Leg lengthening and glycosaminoglycans in the rabbit knee

We investigated the effects of tibial lengthening by callotasis on glycosaminoglycan (GAG) metabolism of the knee articular cartilage in 30 rabbits. The distraction rate was 1 mm per day. On the right side, the daily distraction was in 2 steps, while on the left it was in 120 steps. The animals were divided into 3 subgroups based on length gain; 10, 20, and 30 percent, respectively. The knee joint fluid and medial tibial cartilage were examined by quantitative analysis of the GAG content and/or synthesis. The immunoreactivity for chondroitin sulfate in the cartilage was also examined by immunohistochemistry. For all length gains, the GAG concentration in the synovial fluid was higher on both sides than in controls, with no difference between sides. The GAG content and synthesis in the cartilage on the 2-step side decreased gradually with increasing length. On the 120-step side, the content did not differ from control values in any length gain, and the level of synthesis at 20 and 30 percent lengthening was higher than the control level. Our findings indicate that the alterations in GAG metabolism are attributable to increased mechanical stress on the articular cartilage, suggesting a moderate increase on the 120-step side compared to an excessive one on the 2-step side.