The Cytotoxicity of Bupivacaine, Ropivacaine, and Mepivacaine on Human Chondrocytes and Cartilage

Abstract

Bupivacaine, ropivacaine, and mepivacaine are chondrotoxic in a time-dependent, concentration-dependent, and drug-dependent manner. Chondrotoxic and analgesic potencies do not directly correlate. Cellular death rates were higher in osteoarthritic compared with intact cartilage after local anesthetic treatment.