RESUMO
PURPOSE: To measure the amount of type II collagen with western blotting method and to verify its relations with the clinical, radiological and second look arthroscopic findings in patients who were treated with microfracture surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From October 1997 to December 2000, second look arthroscopies and biopsies were performed in 21 knees of 20 patients at 1 year after surgery. Their mean age at the time of operation was 62.7 years(range, 44-77years) and mean follow-up period were 1 year 3months(range, 10-30 months). 21 cases were classified into 3 groups (Group I >70%, Group II 20-70%, Group III < 20% of normal control) according to the result of western blotting of type II collagen. We analyzed the relationship of western blotting of type II collagen with clinical, radiological, extent of regenerated articular cartilage, patient's age, weight and preoperative varus deformity. RESULTS: Average amounts of type II collagen were 44% of those in control group. The amounts of type II collagen formation had positive correlation with extent of regenerated cartilage and preoperative varus deformity but no correlation with clinical score, joint space widening, patient's weight and age. CONCLUSION: The results of this study provide the rationale to select the osteoarthritic patients indicated for microfracture surgery.