Effect of Repetitive Loading on the Wrist of Young Rabbits

Abstract

Weight-bearing joints are subjected to shear stress and axial loading. Clinical conditions under which either of these stresses is abnormally increased may thus induce degenerative changes. Repetitive movement of the wrist is thought to be responsible for wrist disorders such as Kienbock’s disease, triangular fibrocartilage complex damage and osteoarthritis of the wrist. The effect of physical exercise and overuse alone on osteoarticular cartilage damage and growth plate behavior remains to be elucidated. This study was done to clarify how repetitive movement of the wrist of electrically stimulated young rabbits has an effect on the articular cartilage and growth plate.