Effects of joint motion on the repair of articular cartilage with free periosteal grafts.

The effects of joint motion on the chondrogenic potential of free autogenous periosteal grafts were studied histologically in 6-month-old rabbits. The grafts were taken from the tibia and transplanted to artificial defects of the femoral articular cartilage. The joint was postoperatively first immobilized and then remobilized for various periods. The results revealed that immobilization for 3 weeks had an inhibitor effect on the chondrogenesis, which was even more pronounced after 6 weeks of immobilization. After remobilization the chondrogenesis partially recovered. This recovery of chondrogenesis was more pronounced after 3 weeks' immobilization than after 6 weeks' immobilization. However, degenerative changes were observed in both series.