Proteoglycan epitope in synovial fluid in gonarthrosis: 28 cases of tibial osteotomy studied prospectively for 2 years

Abstract

High tibial osteotomy was performed for medial gonarthrosis in 28 patients. Preoperatively, and at 3, 12, and 24 months after surgery, clinical and radiographic examinations were made, and joint-fluid samples were aspirated. Arthroscopy was performed preoperatively and at 24 months. Immunoassay of proteoglycan epitope in joint fluid showed an increase in concentration at all times as compared with a reference population with normal knee joints. An increase in both the concentration and the total amount of proteoglycan epitope in joint fluid was noted at 3 months postoperatively with a return to preoperative values at later times. Regrowth of fibrocartilage did not correlate with proteoglycan epitope data