Mapping of donor and recipient site properties for osteochondral graft reconstruction of subchondral cystic lesions in the equine stifle joint.
Abstract: To improve osteochondral graft reconstruction of subchondral cystic lesions in the medial and lateral femoral condyles by matching the material properties of donor and recipient sites. Objective: To measure biomechanical and biochemical parameters that influence the function and healing of osteochondral grafts used to reconstruct subchondral cystic lesions. Objective: Suitable donor sites are available within the stifle joint for reconstructing the femoral condyles, despite considerable regional property variation. Methods: Fifty-six osteochondral cores were harvested from 6 distal femurs for initial studies that determined subchondral bone modulus of elasticity and ultimate stress. In a second study, 28 osteochondral cores were harvested from 6 distal femurs to measure cartilage aggregate modulus, thickness and sulphated glycosaminoglycan (sGAG) content. Using micro-CT imaging, subchondral bone mineral density and bone volume fraction were also measured. In both studies 2-dimensional contour plots using a bicubic interpolation method and normalised data were generated to allow visual comparison of joint surface characteristics. Statistical comparisons between donor and recipient site raw data were made using an ANOVA for repeated measures with a post hoc Tukey test. Results: Material properties of cartilage and bone vary considerably over the surface of the stifle joint but the central region of the medial condyle, where subchondral cystic lesions freqdently occur, typically demonstrated bone strength and modulus values of the highest observed. Cartilage thickness and aggregate modulus were highest in the medial femoral condyle and axial aspect of the lateral condyle. Conclusions: Material properties of the grafts from the trochlear groove and axial aspect of the lateral trochlear ridge were the closest match for those found in the medial condyle, whereas properties of the lateral condyle were most similar to those found in the trochlear groove and axial aspect of the medial trochlear ridge.
Publication Date: 2006-07-27 PubMed ID: 16866200DOI: 10.2746/042516406777749254Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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This study focuses on improving the process of osteochondral graft reconstruction in the stifle joint of horses by matching the properties of the donor and recipient sites. The research shows that there is considerable variation in the properties across the stifle joint, but identifies possible areas that can act as suitable donor sites for reconstruction.
Research Objectives
- To get a comprehensive understanding of the biomechanical and biochemical parameters influencing the healing and function of osteochondral grafts used to reconstruct subchondral cystic lesions in the stifle joint of horses.
- To identify suitable donor sites within the joint for reconstructing the femoral condyles.
Methods
- Two sets of studies were conducted, with each involving the harvest of osteochondral cores (cartilage and bone tissue) from distal femurs (the lower part of the thigh bone).
- The first study engaged in determining the modulus of elasticity (measures a material’s resistance to being deformed) and ultimate stress of the subchondral bone. 56 osteochondral cores were harvested for this purpose from 6 distal femurs.
- The second study, involving 28 harvested cores from 6 distal femurs, measured cartilage aggregate modulus (a measure of the cartilage’s mechanical properties), thickness, and sulphated glycosaminoglycan (sGAG) content (sGAGs play an essential role in the cartilage’s resilience and load-bearing properties).
- Both studies also used micro-CT imaging to measure the subchondral bone mineral density and bone volume fraction.
- Data obtained were used to generate a visual comparison of joint surface characteristics.
Results
- The study found that the material properties of bone and cartilage significantly vary over the surface of the stifle joint.
- The central region of the medial condyle (a part often affected by subchondral cystic lesions) typically showed the highest bone strength and modulus values.
- The thickness and aggregate modulus of cartilage were determined to be highest in the medial femoral condyle and axial aspect of the lateral condyle.
Conclusions
- The trochlear groove and axial aspect of the lateral trochlear ridge were identified as the best-matching graft donors for reconstructing the medial condyle.
- The properties of the lateral condyle were found to be most comparable to those of the trochlear groove and axial aspect of the medial trochlear ridge.
Cite This Article
APA
Changoor A, Hurtig MB, Runciman RJ, Quesnel AJ, Dickey JP, Lowerison M.
(2006).
Mapping of donor and recipient site properties for osteochondral graft reconstruction of subchondral cystic lesions in the equine stifle joint.
Equine Vet J, 38(4), 330-336.
https://doi.org/10.2746/042516406777749254 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Comparative Orthopaedic Research Laboratory, Ontario Veterinary College, Canada.
MeSH Terms
- Analysis of Variance
- Animals
- Arthroplasty / methods
- Arthroplasty / veterinary
- Arthroscopy / veterinary
- Biomechanical Phenomena
- Bone Density / physiology
- Bone Transplantation / methods
- Bone Transplantation / veterinary
- Cadaver
- Cartilage, Articular / pathology
- Cartilage, Articular / transplantation
- Femur / transplantation
- Horses / surgery
- Stifle / pathology
- Stifle / surgery
Citations
This article has been cited 7 times.- McCready E, Easley JT, Risch M, Troyer KL, Johnson JW, Gadomski BC, McGilvray KC, Kisiday JD, Nelson BB. Biomechanical, Morphological, and Biochemical Characteristics of Articular Cartilage of the Ovine Humeral Head. Cartilage 2022 Jan-Mar;13(1):19476035221081465.
- Nelson BB, Stewart RC, Kawcak CE, Freedman JD, Patwa AN, Snyder BD, Goodrich LR, Grinstaff MW. Quantitative Evaluation of Equine Articular Cartilage Using Cationic Contrast-Enhanced Computed Tomography. Cartilage 2021 Apr;12(2):211-221.
- Flynn C, Hurtig M, Linden AZ. Anionic Contrast-Enhanced MicroCT Imaging Correlates with Biochemical and Histological Evaluations of Osteoarthritic Articular Cartilage. Cartilage 2021 Dec;13(2_suppl):1388S-1397S.
- Chan EF, Liu IL, Semler EJ, Aberman HM, Simon TM, Chen AC, Truncale KG, Sah RL. Association of 3-Dimensional Cartilage and Bone Structure with Articular Cartilage Properties in and Adjacent to Autologous Osteochondral Grafts after 6 and 12 months in a Goat Model. Cartilage 2012 Jul 1;3(3):255-66.
- Halley SE, Bey MJ, Haladik JA, Lavagnino M, Arnoczky SP. Three dimensional, radiosteriometric analysis (RSA) of equine stifle kinematics and articular surface contact: a cadaveric study. Equine Vet J 2014 May;46(3):364-9.
- Fürst A, Meier D, Michel S, Schmidlin A, Held L, Laib A. Effect of age on bone mineral density and micro architecture in the radius and tibia of horses: an Xtreme computed tomographic study. BMC Vet Res 2008 Jan 25;4:3.
- Zittel KW, Zielinski KP, Thompson MC, Postma WF, Murray RS, Cunningham BW. Regional variation in distal femur subchondral bone mineral density: An in vitro human cadaveric model. J Orthop 2025 Nov;69:283-287.
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