Effect of corticosteroid and sodium hyaluronate on induced joint lesions in the guinea-pig knee

Abstract 50 guinea-pigs had lesions induced in their knee-joints by intra-articular injections of papain solution (2%). The lesions developed were treated with intra-articular injections of corticosteroid (Celestona bifas) in the right and sodium hyaluronate (Hylartil) in the left knee. The treatment was repeated after 1 week. 5 months later, the joints were examined macroscopically, microscopically and radiographically. Comparison of the effects of treatment showed that early treatment with hyaluronate resulted in less deviation in form of the joint, and less granulation tissue formation but no significant difference in the overall severity of the lesions was found. Granulation tissue, fibrotic adhesions and inflammation in the synovial membrane induced in the experimental model were positively correlated to cortical bone destruction.