Arthroscopic management of meniscal injuries.

The use of the arthroscope in the diagnosis, classification, and management of meniscal disorders is the most common use of arthroscopic surgery in the knee. There are numerous recent advances in technology and technique that now permit improved diagnosis and treatment of meniscal disorders by arthroscopy. The management of meniscal disorders involves the diagnostic identification of the type of meniscal lesion by examination, imaging studies, and arthroscopy.

The role of alpha-1-protease inhibitor (A1PI) in the inhibition of protease activity in human knee osteoarthritis.

Alpha-1-protease inhibitor (A1PI) is the most abundant serum protease inhibitor, exhibiting inhibition of proteases known to act in osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis. We have previously purified and sequenced A1PI synthesized by human articular cartilage and demonstrated in vitro protection from IL-1-induced proteoglycan (PG) degradation at a concentration of 1 mg/ml. In this study, the chondroprotective role of A1PI and possible inhibition of protease activity in OA, IL-1 and LPS-induced and aged normal human knee articular cartilage was investigated by immunohistochemical and in vitro methods.

Human and bovine articular cartilage loading measured with a new resistive sensor: effects of protease degradation and osteoarthritis.

This report describes the use of a new micro-thin resistive-based sensor to measure dynamic vertical loading of normal and osteoarthritic (OA) human knee cartilage repetitively under conditions of simulated knee joint loading. Articular cartilage discs were cultured in 3 DMEM +/- IL-1, lipopolysacharide (LPS) and trypsin over 7 days. Loading force, force distribution and peak pressure were evaluated.

Arthroscopic management of disorders of the knee.

Arthroscopy and arthroscopic surgery have gained tremendous popularity within the past several years with both physicians and the general public. Arthroscopic surgery is a dramatic aid in reducing soft tissue injury, rehabilitation time, and the costs associated with surgery when applied to the knee or other large joints of the body. Although this technique is in widespread use for many acute and sports injuries, the arthroscope and developing arthroscopic surgical techniques have significant advantages in the diagnosis and treatment of common inflammatory disorders, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, joint synovectomy, septic arthritis, and osteochondritis dissecans.