Removal of the infrapatellar fat pad and associated synovium benefits female guinea pigs in the Dunkin Hartley model of idiopathic osteoarthritis.

Background: Several tissues contribute to the onset and advancement of knee osteoarthritis (OA). One tissue type that is worthy of closer evaluation, particularly in the context of sex, is the infrapatellar fat pad (IFP). We previously demonstrated that removal of the IFP had short-term beneficial effects for a cohort of male Dunkin-Hartley guinea pigs.

Early removal of the infrapatellar fat pad/synovium complex beneficially alters the pathogenesis of moderate stage idiopathic knee osteoarthritis in male Dunkin Hartley guinea pigs.

Background: The infrapatellar fat pad (IFP) is the largest adipose deposit in the knee; however, its contributions to the homeostasis of this organ remain undefined. To determine the influence of the IFP and its associated synovium (IFP/synovium complex or IFP/SC) on joint health, this study evaluated the progression of osteoarthritis (OA) following excision of this unit in a rodent model of naturally-occurring disease.

Methods: Male Dunkin-Hartley guinea pigs (n=18) received surgical removal of the IFP in one knee at 3 months of age; contralateral knees received sham surgery as matched internal controls.