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Home / Equine Research Bank / Bone / Calcified cartilage morphometry and its relation to subchond...
Bone1999; 24(2); 109-114; doi: 10.1016/s8756-3282(98)00157-4

Calcified cartilage morphometry and its relation to subchondral bone remodeling in equine arthrosis.

Abstract: The calcified layer of articular cartilage is known to be affected by age and mechanical factors that may play a role in the development of arthrosis. Because these factors are also related to subchondral remodeling and sclerosis, a morphometric study was carried out in fluorochrome-labeled animals to determine whether the level of subchondral remodeling affected the thickness of the calcified cartilage layer and its irregularity and vascularity at the interface with subchondral bone. These parameters were also studied at a site of increased mechanical stress. The area and thickness of the calcified cartilage layer was determined in basic fuchsin-stained ground sections (120 microm). The irregularity of the chondro-osseous interface was expressed as the ratio of its length to that of the relatively straight tidemark (Int/Tid) and the number of abutting vessels with and without fluochrome labels were counted (N.Ves/Tid,%L.Ves/Tid). These were compared with single-labeled surface (sLS/BS, %) in subchondral bone, which was used as an index of remodeling. In a group of 12 horses, in which one carpus had an osteochondral fragment surgically created 10 weeks earlier, there was activation of subchondral remodeling in the third carpal bone opposite the fragment. An increase in %L.Ves/Tid (p < 0.01) at the interface was correlated with the increase in %sLS/BS in subchondral bone (r=0.431, p=0.035). The number of abutting vessels and the interface irregularity were not significantly changed on the fragmented side. In the metacarpal condyles from the fetlock joints of the same horses there were no differences associated with the surgically created fragment in the carpus and no correlation of %L.Ves/Tid with subchondral %sLS/BS. At a site where mechanical overload and traumatic osteochondrosis is known to occur on the palmar surface, the calcified cartilage was thinner, and the interface irregularity tended to be greater. These findings indicate that activated subchondral remodeling extends to involve the calcified layer, but the thickness and irregularity of the calcified cartilage are not consistently related to current subchondral remodeling. At sites of mechanical overload the calcified cartilage was thinner and the interface tended to be more irregular, suggesting previous increased remodeling.
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Publication Date: 1999-02-10 PubMed ID: 9951778DOI: 10.1016/s8756-3282(98)00157-4Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article
  • Research Support
  • Non-U.S. Gov't

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The study investigates the relationship between the subchondral bone remodeling and the morphometry of the calcified cartilage layer in the development of arthrosis. The researchers found that while subchondral remodeling can affect the calcified layer, the thickness and irregularity of the calcified cartilage are not consistently related to the remodeling process.

Research Background

  • Arthrosis is a degenerative disease that affects the joints, commonly causing discomfort and pain.
  • The calcified layer of articular cartilage is known to be influenced by age and mechanical factors. Both are also associated with subchondral remodeling and sclerosis, processes involved in the development of arthrosis.

Research Methodology

  • The research conducted a morphometric study on fluorochrome-labeled animals to establish whether the level of subchondral remodeling influences the thickness, irregularity and vascularity of the calcified cartilage layer at the interface with subchondral bone.
  • This study also focused on a site of increased mechanical stress. The calcified cartilage layer’s area and thickness were determined in basic fuchsin-stained ground sections.
  • The irregularity of the chondro-osseous interface was calculated as the ratio of its length to the relatively straight tidemark, and the quantity of abutting vessels with and without fluochrome labels were counted.

Results and Findings

  • The study found a correlation between an increase in percent vascularity at the interface and the index of remodeling in subchondral bone. However, the number of abutting vessels and the interface irregularity did not significantly change on the fragmented side.
  • There was no significant differences found in the metacarpal condyles from the fetlock joints of the same horses with a surgically created fragment in the carpus.
  • In sites of mechanical overload, the calcified cartilage was thinner, and the interface irregularity was higher, suggesting previous increased remodeling.
  • Overall, the research found that subchondral remodeling can influence the calcified layer, but the thickness and irregularity of the calcified cartilage are not consistently related to current subchondral remodeling processes.

Conclusion

  • The findings indicate that while activated subchondral remodeling extends to involve the calcified layer, the thickness and irregularity of the calcified cartilage do not have a consistent relationship with current subchondral remodeling.
  • This suggests that at sites of mechanical overload where the cartilage is potentially more fragile, earlier increased remodeling could have occurred.

Cite This Article

APA
Norrdin RW, Kawcak CE, Capwell BA, McIlwraith CW. (1999). Calcified cartilage morphometry and its relation to subchondral bone remodeling in equine arthrosis. Bone, 24(2), 109-114. https://doi.org/10.1016/s8756-3282(98)00157-4

Publication

Bone
ISSN: 8756-3282
NlmUniqueID: 8504048
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 24
Issue: 2
Pages: 109-114

Researcher Affiliations

Norrdin, R W
  • Department of Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins 80523, USA. morrdin@cvmbs.colostate.edu
Kawcak, C E
    Capwell, B A
      McIlwraith, C W

        MeSH Terms

        • Animals
        • Bone Diseases / pathology
        • Bone Diseases / veterinary
        • Bone Remodeling
        • Calcinosis / pathology
        • Carpal Bones / pathology
        • Cartilage, Articular / pathology
        • Horse Diseases / pathology
        • Horses
        • Osteochondritis / pathology
        • Osteochondritis / veterinary

        Citations

        This article has been cited 13 times.
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