Hemodynamics of the Juvenile Knee in Relation to Increasing Intra-Articular Pressure: An Experimental Study in Dogs

The relationships between intraosseous pressure and regional blood flow in the juxta-articular epiphyses were determined in the knees of immature dogs. Intraosseous pressures were continously registered in one knee. Regional blood flow rates were simultaneously determined by the microsphere technique before and after venous tamponade of both knee joint capsules.

During complete venous tamponade the intraosseous pressure of the distal femoral epiphyses rose 268%, while flow increased 122%. A concurrent 20-fold flow increase of the knee capsule and 3-4-fold flow increase of the proximal femoral bone was observed. Evacuation of the knee joints resulted in an immediate drop of the intraosseous pressure of the distal femoral epiphyses, whereas hyperaemia prevailed for at least half an hour and was most pronounced in the distal femoral epiphyses and knee joint capsule. Intraosseous pressure registration did not significantly influence regional blood flow.

It is suggested that the changes of intraosseous pressures during knee joint tamponade reflect changes in the venous outlet resistance. The results demonstrate the significance of intra-articular pressure increase on the hemodynamics of the juxta-articular tissues of the knee and proximal femoral bone. These findings may be of importance in the pathogenesis of growth disturbances observed in juvenile degenerative arthritis.