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Abstract
The aim of this study was to determine whether there are quantitative changes in the mechanoreceptors in the anterior cruciate ligament of unstable knee with injured medial articular cartilage or medial ligament. Twenty specimens of anterior cruciate ligament were obtained from medial articular cartilage injury group and medial ligament injury group, respectively. Forty anterior cruciate ligaments of the other side of knee were used as controls. The ligaments were transected and stained with a modified gold-chloride method. Mechanoreceptors were located almost exclusively in the periligamentous synovial tissue. The results were as follows;
1. Three kinds of mechanoreceptors were found at the surface of each ligament beneath the synovial membrane.
2. The type 2 mechanoreceptor was more common than any other types in all groups.
3. In the medial articular cartilage injury group, the number of mechanoreceptor was significantly decreased and morphologically degradated with synovial degeneration than the control group. The same findings were noted in the medial ligament injury group(P<0.003).
4. There was no statistical difference between the two experimental groups in numher of the mechanoreceptor. In conclusion, the mechanoreceptor of the anterior cruciate ligament of unstable knee with injured medial articular cartilage and ligament in the rabbit were decreased in its numher and were degradated morphologically than the control group. And it was suggested that reduced proprioception in unstable knee might he an another cause of development of osteoarthritis.
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