Fig. 1From: Intra-articular Adenosine, Lidocaine and Magnesium (ALM) solution decreases postoperative joint fibrosis in an experimental knee implant modelMacroscopic changes in knees at 4 weeks postoperative for animals that received an intra-articular bolus of ALM or saline immediately following knee implant surgery, and prior to skin closure. a Compared to non-operated control knees, the circumference of implanted knees was increased significantly for saline- and ALM-treated animals. b At 4 weeks post-surgery, the difference in the range of motion (ROM) in extension for operated and non-operated knees tended to be greater for saline- compared to ALM-treated animals, though this difference was not statistically significant. c Representative images of a non-operated knee, and knees from saline-treated and ALM-treated animals at 4 weeks post-surgery. External views of the knee joints after removal of the skin (upper panel). Internal views of the joints following dissection (middle, lower panels). Arrow indicates the location of the patella. Synovial thickening (asterisk), adhesions (white arrowhead) and articular cartilage roughness (black arrowheads) were evident in operated knees. The yellow dotted line indicates the anteromedial region of capsular tissue dissected for subsequent molecular analyses. d Adhesion of the synovium and femoral condyles was evident histologically (arrowheads, upper panels). Macroscopic changes to articular surfaces corresponded to granulation tissue, fibrocartilage and subchondral bone remodeling (white arrows) apparent on the femur (lower left panel) and tibia (lower right panel). e Macroscopic pathology scores were significantly reduced for the operated joints that were administered intra-articular ALM, compared to saline controls. Data shows mean ± SD. *P < 0.05, vs. baseline (no surgery, no treatment), #P < 0.05, compared to saline controls; n = 12 per group (circumference, ROM), n = 6 per group (macroscopic scoring)Back to article page