pyrophosphate and Knee-Injuries

The basic principles of the determination of crystals in synovial fluid by means of the polarisation microscope are described. The presence of crystals in synovial fluid was determined in 48 patients with the following clinical diagnoses: rheumatoid arthritis, gout, pseudogout, reactive arthritis, in patients with a diagnosis of extraarticular rheumatism: peritendinitis, in patients with reactive arthritis and in 2 patients with injured knee joint. Crystals of Na urate, Ca-pyrophosphate dihydrate and cholesterol were found. The analysis of synovial fluid for the presence of crystals in an important diagnostic procedure contributing greatly to the quick and correct diagnosis of arthritis.

Topics: Cholesterol; Crystallization; Diphosphates; Female; Humans; Knee Injuries; Male; Rheumatic Diseases; Synovial Fluid; Uric Acid

We measured levels of cartilage proteoglycan (PG) fragments in knee joint synovial fluid obtained from patients with previous trauma of the knee, early gonarthrosis, or pyrophosphate synovitis, and in age-matched control subjects. During the initial 3-4 weeks after rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament or the meniscus (confirmed by arthroscopy), markedly increased PG fragment levels were found. At later times after trauma (up to 4 years), many of these patients still had significantly elevated levels of cartilage PG fragments in the joint fluid. In a group of older patients with gonarthrosis, these levels were only moderately elevated, while in patients with acute pseudogout, greatly increased levels were observed. Although longitudinal studies are needed to validate the significance, PG fragments in joint fluid may be a marker for early posttraumatic arthrosis.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Cartilage; Chondrocalcinosis; Diphosphates; Female; Humans; Knee Injuries; Male; Middle Aged; Osteoarthritis; Peptide Fragments; Proteoglycans; Synovial Fluid; Synovitis; Time Factors

Topics: Aged; Arthropathy, Neurogenic; Chondrocalcinosis; Diagnosis, Differential; Diphosphates; Humans; Knee Injuries; Knee Joint; Male