The effect of tibial lengthening on immature articular cartilage of the ankle joint.

ABSTRACT

Is the articular cartilage of the immature ankle joint damaged by tibial lengthening? Sixteen immature rabbits underwent a 30% diaphyseal lengthening by tibial callotasis. Damage was assessed by scanning electronic microscopy and histomorphometry at the completion of distraction and after an additional 5 weeks. Despite joint contracture, little damage in the articular cartilage was observed in contrast to the knee joint. The findings show that the immature ankle joint is more resilient to stress than the knee and implies that reduced weight bearing and decreased joint movement alone are not sufficient to cause cartilage damage, at least in the ankle.