Reduction of intraarticular adhesion by topical application of colchicine following knee surgery in rabbits

The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of topical application of colchicine in reducing intraarticular adhesion in rabbits. Thirty-six rabbits were randomly and equally divided into three groups. An approximately 10 × 10 mm(2) area of cortical bone was removed from both sides of the left femoral condyle, and the cancellous bone underneath was exposed. Cotton pads soaked with different concentrations of colchicine or saline were applied to the decorticated areas for 10 minutes. The surgical limb was fixed in a flexed position for 4 weeks postoperatively. To evaluate knee intraarticular adhesion, we performed macroscopic evaluation, histological and collagen density analyses, hydroxyproline content determination, fibroblast counting and densitometric analyses. The results showed that loose collagen tissues with little or no adhesion were present around the decorticated areas in the group treated with 0.5 mg/ml colchicine. The intraarticular adhesion score, hydroxyproline content, number of fibroblasts and densitometric value in this group were also significantly lower than those in the other groups. There was moderate intraarticular adhesion in the group treated with 0.1 mg/ml colchicine. However, dense scar tissue with dense adhesions was found in the control group. In conclusion, topical application of 0.5 mg/ml colchicine may reduce knee intraarticular adhesion.