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Long-term fate and effects of exercise on sternal cartilage autografts used for repair of large osteochondral defects in horses.
Abstract: Bilateral osteochondral defects (10 mm2 x 3 mm deep) were created on the distal articular surface of the radial carpal bone of ten, 2- to 3-year-old horses. One defect of each horse was repaired, using a sternal cartilage autograft (treated), and the other was left untreated (control). The horses were exercised on a high-speed treadmill at incrementally increased speed and duration over the course of 12 months. Horses were evaluated arthroscopically at 6 to 7 weeks, and clinical examinations were conducted weekly at exercise. Twelve months after surgery, carpuses of each horse were radiographed and clinically examined prior to euthanasia. A gross pathologic evaluation of each joint was conducted, and samples were collected for histologic, histochemical, histomorphometric, and biochemical evaluation. Radiographically, the grafted joints had more extensive evidence of arthropathy, and clinically, 8 of the 10 horses were more lame in the grafted limb. On the basis of histomorphometry, the repair tissue of the grafted defects contained a greater median percentage of hyaline cartilage (45%) than that of control defects (4.5%), and the control defects contained a greater percentage of fibrocartilage (82%) than did grafted defects (28.5%). A greater median percentage of repair tissue stained with safranin-O in the grafted defects (24.5%) than in the control defects (3.5%). On gross pathologic and histologic evaluation, repair tissue of the control defects had better continuity and was more firmly attached to the subchondral bone than was repair tissue of the grafted defects. Repair tissue of the grafted defects had extensive fissure and flap formation. Histologically, subchondral bone reactivity and fibroplasia was extensive in grafted joints. Repair tissue of grafted defects had a greater percentage of type II collagen (mean +/- SEM, 83.5 +/- 2.95%) than did controls (mean, 79.4 +/- 3.87%) that was not statistically significant. Hexosamine content was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in repair tissue of the grafted defect (mean, 28.9 +/- 3.00 mg/g of dry weight) vs control (mean, 20.6 +/- 1.85 mg/g of dry weight). On the basis of this experimental model, sternal cartilage autografts cannot be recommended at this time for repair of osteochondral defects in athletic horses.
Publication Date: 1994-08-01 PubMed ID: 7978658 The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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This is a study investigating the long term results and the effects of exercise on using sternal cartilage autografts to repair large bone defects in horses. Based on the results from exercising horses on treadmills after surgery and comparing the treated and untreated limbs, the study concluded that sternal cartilage autografts are not recommended for osteochondral defect repair in athletic horses.
Study Design and Methodology
- Osteochondral defects were created on a specific bone surface of two to three year old horses. One defect was treated with a sternal cartilage autograft and the other served as an untreated control.
- The horses were exercised on a treadmill and their speed and duration were increased over a year.
- The horses were evaluated regularly, with arthroscopies being performed at 6 to 7 weeks, and clinical examinations conducted weekly during the exercise period.
- After twelve months, the joints were examined via radiography and a clinical examination prior to the euthanasia of the horses.
- Postmortem evaluation of the joints included histologic, histochemical, histomorphometric, and biochemical analyses.
Results
- Grafted joints showed more arthropathy and the horses were more lame in the grafted limb.
- On the basis of histomorphometry, repair tissue in the grafted defects contained a greater median percentage of hyaline cartilage (45%) than control defects (4.5%), and the control defects contained a greater percentage of fibrocartilage (82%) than did grafted defects (28.5%).
- Grafted defects also stained with a greater median percentage of safranin-O, a staining substance used to determine proteoglycan distribution and quantity in cartilage tissue.
- In terms of gross pathology and histological findings, repair tissue of untreated control defects showed better continuity and was more attached to the underlying subchondral bone than the tissue in the grafted defects.
- Grafted defect repair tissue had extensive fissure and flap formation. There was significant subchondral bone reactivity and fibroplasia (formation of fibrous tissue).
- Type II collagen content was relatively similar between the two groups, but hexosamine content was significantly higher in tissue from the grafted defect.
Conclusion
Based on the above experimental results, sternal cartilage autografts are not recommended for repairing large bone defects in athletic horses. Despite these grafts including a higher percentage of hyaline cartilage and staining more intensively with safranin-O, which are typically positive outcomes, the greater lameness, subchondral bone reactivity, and poorer integration with underlying bone led to this negative recommendation.
Cite This Article
APA
Howard RD, McIlwraith CW, Trotter GW, Powers BE, McFadden PR, Harwood FL, Amiel D.
(1994).
Long-term fate and effects of exercise on sternal cartilage autografts used for repair of large osteochondral defects in horses.
Am J Vet Res, 55(8), 1158-1167.
Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins 80523.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Arthroscopy
- Biomechanical Phenomena
- Carpal Bones / injuries
- Carpal Bones / pathology
- Carpal Bones / surgery
- Cartilage, Articular / metabolism
- Cartilage, Articular / pathology
- Cartilage, Articular / transplantation
- Collagen / metabolism
- Hexosamines / metabolism
- Horses
- Physical Exertion
- Sternum
- Transplantation, Autologous
Citations
This article has been cited 8 times.- Gao L, Cucchiarini M, Madry H. Cyst formation in the subchondral bone following cartilage repair. Clin Transl Med 2020 Dec;10(8):e248.
- Gao Y, Gao J, Li H, Du D, Jin D, Zheng M, Zhang C. Autologous costal chondral transplantation and costa-derived chondrocyte implantation: emerging surgical techniques. Ther Adv Musculoskelet Dis 2019;11:1759720X19877131.
- McIlwraith CW, Fortier LA, Frisbie DD, Nixon AJ. Equine Models of Articular Cartilage Repair. Cartilage 2011 Oct;2(4):317-26.
- Hurtig MB, Buschmann MD, Fortier LA, Hoemann CD, Hunziker EB, Jurvelin JS, Mainil-Varlet P, McIlwraith CW, Sah RL, Whiteside RA. Preclinical Studies for Cartilage Repair: Recommendations from the International Cartilage Repair Society. Cartilage 2011 Apr;2(2):137-52.
- Serra CI, Soler C, Carrillo JM, Sopena JJ, Redondo JI, Cugat R. Effect of autologous platelet-rich plasma on the repair of full-thickness articular defects in rabbits. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc 2013 Aug;21(8):1730-6.
- Kim M, Foo LF, Uggen C, Lyman S, Ryaby JT, Moynihan DP, Grande DA, Potter HG, Pleshko N. Evaluation of early osteochondral defect repair in a rabbit model utilizing fourier transform-infrared imaging spectroscopy, magnetic resonance imaging, and quantitative T2 mapping. Tissue Eng Part C Methods 2010 Jun;16(3):355-64.
- Muehleman C, Li J, Abe Y, Pfister B, Sah RL, Phipps R, Masuda K. Effect of risedronate in a minipig cartilage defect model with allograft. J Orthop Res 2009 Mar;27(3):360-5.
- Scotti C, Buragas MS, Mangiavini L, Sosio C, Di Giancamillo A, Domeneghini C, Fraschini G, Peretti GM. A tissue engineered osteochondral plug: an in vitro morphological evaluation. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc 2007 Nov;15(11):1363-9.
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