Sam Steiner, Yan Lu, Milan Milovancev, Mark Markel.
UW Madison, Madison, WI, United States

ACVS Abstract 2007 

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic disease of joints characterized by pain and degeneration of joint structures. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug in a monopolar radiofrequency-induced (mRFE) canine model of OA. Sixteen dogs undergoing arthroscopic mRFE treatment of the right CCL and sham treatment of the left CCL were divided into control (n¼8; placebo) and treatment (n¼8; firocoxib 6.0mg/kg PO daily) groups. Dogs were assessed with radiographs, gait analysis, measurements of cartilage stiffness, bone mineral density (BMD), and gross and histologic scores over 26 weeks.

Right pelvic limbs in both groups had significantly decreased mean peak vertical force (PVF) and vertical impulse (VI) compared to the left pelvic limb from the time of CCL rupture until 18 weeks post-rupture, when the treatment group displayed increased PVF and VI compared to earlier values. Total mean BMD was not significantly different between control and treatment groups, but was significantly reduced in the treatment group at 6 and 12 week post-rupture compared to preoperatively and 18 weeks post-rupture. Cartilage stiffness of the right limb was significantly lower at 18 weeks post-rupture than at the time of arthroscopy in the control group only.

There was no significant difference in mean total radiographic, gross, or histologic scores between groups. In conclusion, firocoxib did not significantly reduce lameness in the acute phase of CCL rupture, likely related to mechanical instability, and neither protected nor exacerbated progression of OA in this mRFE canine model of OA.