Evaluation of Subchondral Bone Blood Flow in Rabbit Femoral Condyles by Laser Speckle Method

The laser speckle method is a new technique for evaluation of tissue blood flow using the dynamic laser speckle effect. In 1987, Fujii proposed a new system to visualize the microcirculation map using the laser speckle method. Blood flow of subchondral bone in the femoral condyles of ten rabbits was measured simultaneously by this system and by the hydrogen washout method. Analysis of regression showed that blood flow measured by the lasr speckle method and by the hydrogen washout method was significantly correlated (r=0.777, p=0.0001). The results showed that subchondral bone blood flow could be measured through the articular cartilage by the laser speckle method. The laser speckle method is a non-contact, simple and rapid technique for evaluation of bone blood flow. It is confirmed that this method is useful for the detection of necrotic areas during the surgery for osteonecrosis of the femoral head.