Biochemical Approach to Measuring Surgical Trauma

Further Development of a Biochemical Approach to Measuring Surgical Trauma to Musculoskeletal Tissues

This study will examine the magnitude and time course of changes in circulating (serum and plasma) biomarker concentrations associated with musculoskeletal injury created by total knee replacement surgery. The sensitivity to injury will be characterized by the changes in mean serum concentration before and after surgery. Specificity for the injured state will be evaluated comparing the baseline to peak change (injury response) with the pre-surgery to follow-up baseline fluctuation (i.e. measurement noise).

Inclusion Criteria

• Age 18 to 75
• No musculoskeletal injury requiring medical attention in the past 3 months other than entirely related to worsening symptoms of the operative knee or spinal level.
• No musculoskeletal injury producing pain in the previous 2 weeks.
• No inflammatory disease other than osteoarthritis)
• No exercise with weights in the 2 weeks before surgery.