Arthroscopic subchondral bone plate microfracture technique augments healing of large chondral defects in the radial carpal bone and medial femoral condyle of horses.
Abstract: To evaluate the effect of arthroscopic subchondral bone microfracture on healing of large chondral defects in horses. Methods: Short- (4 months) and long-term (12 months) in vivo experimental chondral defect model. Methods: 10 horses, aged 2 to 5 years. Methods: Each horse had a 1 cm2 full-thickness chondral defect created in both radial carpal bones and both medial femoral condyles. One carpus and one femoral condyle of each horse had the subchondral bone plate under the defect perforated using an orthopedic awl. All horses were exercised, five horses were evaluated after 4 months and five horses after 12 months. Gross, histologic, and histomorphometric examination of defect sites and repair tissues was performed, as was collagen typing of the repair tissue. Results: On gross observation a greater volume of repair tissue filled treated defects (74%) compared with control defects (45%). Histomorphometry confirmed more repair tissue filling treated defects, but no difference in the relative amounts of different tissue types was observed. There was an increased percentage of type II collagen in treated defects compared with control defects and evidence of earlier bone remodeling as documented by changes in porosity. Conclusions: In full-thickness chondral defects in exercised horses, treatment with subchondral bone microfracture increased the tissue volume in the defects and the percentage of type II collagen in the tissue filling the defects when compared to nontreated defects. Conclusions: No negative effects of the microfracture technique were observed and some of the beneficial effects are the basis for recommending its use in patients cases with exposed subchondral bone.
Publication Date: 1999-07-29 PubMed ID: 10424704DOI: 10.1053/jvet.1999.0242Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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The study explores how using arthroscopic subchondral bone microfracture improves the healing of large defects in the cartilage of horses’ radial carpal bones and medial femoral condyles. The results show that this technique increases the volume of tissue repair and the presence of type II collagen, which can foster better recovery of joint-related injuries.
Methodology
- The experiment involved 10 horses aged between 2 to 5 years. Both their radial carpal bones and medial femoral condyles had a 1 cm2 full-thickness chondral defect created.
- The subchondral bone plate underneath the defect was perforated with an orthopedic awl in one carpus and one femoral condyle of each horse. This method was used as the treatment for comparison.
- All horses involved in the study were exercised. Five of the horses had their treatment evaluated after 4 months, while the other five horses were assessed after 12 months.
- Gross, histologic and histomorphometric examinations on the defect sites and repair tissues were conducted, including an analysis of the collagen type in the repair tissue.
Findings
- The results revealed an increased volume of repaired tissue (74%) in the treated defects when visually compared to the control defects (45%).
- Although histomorphometric analysis verified the presence of more repaired tissue in the treated defects, it didn’t show any disparity in the proportions of different tissue types.
- There was an increased proportion of type II collagen in treated defects compared to the control defects, suggesting an improved and more natural repair process. Observation also showed signs of earlier bone remodeling through changes in porosity.
Conclusions
- The use of subchondral bone microfracture treatment noticeably improved tissue repair in full-thickness chondral defects in the examined horses. There was increased tissue volume in the defect areas and a higher percentage of type II collagen seen in the tissue filling these defects.
- No negative effects arose from using the microfracture technique. Some of the benefits observed provide a rationale for recommending its use in patient cases with exposed subchondral bone.
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Cite This Article
APA
Frisbie DD, Trotter GW, Powers BE, Rodkey WG, Steadman JR, Howard RD, Park RD, McIlwraith CW.
(1999).
Arthroscopic subchondral bone plate microfracture technique augments healing of large chondral defects in the radial carpal bone and medial femoral condyle of horses.
Vet Surg, 28(4), 242-255.
https://doi.org/10.1053/jvet.1999.0242 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins 80523, USA.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Arthroscopy / veterinary
- Carpal Bones / injuries
- Carpal Bones / surgery
- Collagen / metabolism
- Femoral Fractures / surgery
- Femoral Fractures / veterinary
- Hindlimb
- Horses / injuries
- Horses / surgery
- Joints / injuries
- Joints / surgery
- Random Allocation
- Wound Healing
Citations
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