ISSN:
1573-9686
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Medicine
,
Technology
Notes:
Abstract The contours in the articular surfaces of rabbit and canine knee joints were measured in vivo and in vitro using the scanning electron microscope (SEM), replication, and light-microscopy techniques. Using the light microscope, patterns of highlights of the order 10 μm were observed when the living joint-surfaces were exposed. Replicas were made of these surface contours using Xantopren, a light-bodied dental silicone impression-material. More than 50% of the replicas were discarded because of defects. In the SEM, a crazing phenomenom was sometimes evident on the replicated surfaces which may have been attributable to distortion of the silicone medium, possibly in vacuo. The interpretable replicas from the living joint-surfaces contained 7 to 20 μm diameter humps that varied from 0.5 to 2.5 μm high. These corresponded to the patterns of highlights seen with the light microscope at surgery. Examination of the replicas taken in vitro and direct examination of the cartilage in the SEM revealed comparable data. The living articular-cartilage contours, therefore, appear to correspond to those previously identified in vitro. We emphasize that although these values give some indication of the anticipated in vivo contours, the actual contours in a load-carrying situation may differ.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00000007
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