Perichondrial Arthroplasty Using Fibrin Glue and Early Mobilization: An Experimental Study

Abstract

An experimental study was performed in rabbits to find out whether fibrin glue, used to simplify the procedure for graft fixation in perichondrial arthroplasty, would also allow earlier mobilization of the grafted joint, thereby reducing the risk for postoperative stiffness of the joint. The results indicate the possibility of reducing the time used for postoperative fixation from three weeks originally to one week, and still achieve the same results regarding graft healing and cartilage regeneration. Immediate post-operative mobilization caused loosening of the graft and endangered the results.

Cartilage repair: A critical review

“…The capacity to heal full-thickness defects is slightly better in very young than in fully grown animals (Wei and Messner 1996). There have been numerous attempts to stimulate the healing by filling the defect with periosteum, perichondrium, demineralized bone, alginate sponges with precultivated autologous cells and also with synthetic materials (Engkvist and Johansson 1980, Rub& 1982a,b, Aston and Bentley 1986, Widenfalk et al 1986, Grande et a]. 1989, Billings et al 1990, Dahlberg and Kreicbergs 1991, Shapses et al 1991, Caplan et al 1992, Anastasiou et al 1993, Bulstra et al 1993, Barone et al 1995, Chu et al 1995, Shiba et al 1995.…”

A retrospective analysis of two independent prospective cartilage repair studies: autogenous perichondrial grafting versus subchondral drilling 10 years post‐surgery

“…The patella was relocated and the wound closed. After an immobilization period of two weeks in a plaster of Paris the operated knee was subjected to continuous passive motion for another two weeks [39,44,45]. Movement was encouraged, but for grafted lesions of the patella or the intercondylar groove the flexion was limited to 30".…”

Repair of articular defects by perichondrial graft: Experiments in the rabbit

“…Fibrin glue gives a firm fixation of the graft when combined with an external fixation device for 2 weeks, as demonstrated by Widenfalk et al (1986).…”