Effect of exercise on urate crystal‐induced inflammation in canine joints

Abstract

The effect of joint motion on one model of experimental articular inflammation, the acute arthritis produced by injection of urate crystals into canine knees, has been examined. Each increased amount of joint motion produced larger effusions, higher leukocyte counts, more severe histologic evidence of polymorphonuclear leukocyte infiltration and increased leakage of intravenously injected carbon from synovial vessels. Clearance of xenon from the joint was markedly accentuated by joint motion.Resting the inflamed joints is considered by most clinicians to be a fundamental part of the management of patients with acute arthritis (1 -5). This therapeutic approach, however, is based mostly on clinical experience rather than on controlled studies. To determine the effect that joint motion has on one model of experimental articular inflammation, the inflammatory response to a standard dose of urate crystals injected into canine knees was measured under different conditions of rest and exercise.

New knowledge of the pathogenesis of gout

“…Conceivably mechanical damage to cartilage predisposes to crystal deposition or desquamation of crystals from an articular crust sets off an attack. The severity of experimental urate arthritis in dogs is enhanced by exercise (Agudelo et al, 1972)-a further experimental observation with clinical implications.…”

Haemodynamics in acute arthritis of the knee in puppies

“…Already at 50 cm H20, the RBF in the arthritic joint capsule was significantly decreased. As the recorded intra-articular pressures in the present study were resting pressures, which are raised during joint motion, in particular knee flexion (Bunger et al 1982, Agudelo et al 1972, the increased intra-articular pressure in acute arthritis must be considered to be of pathophysiological importance. The significant decrease of blood flow in the vastus lateralis and rectus femoris muscle might also be secondary to elevated knee joint pressure, which may cause a reflex inhibition of quadricips femoris muscle activity (Newton 1982), and thus a decrease of blood flow.…”

Management of gout

“…Joint motion is reported to increase inflammation due to gouty arthritis whereas rest of the affected joints may aid in its resolution (6). Less medication is needed if the patient can rest the afflicted joint for 1-2 days (7).…”