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Home / Equine Research Bank / Osteoarthritis Cartilage / Relationship between cartilage and subchondral bone lesions ...
Osteoarthritis and cartilage2012; 20(6); 572-583; doi: 10.1016/j.joca.2012.02.004

Relationship between cartilage and subchondral bone lesions in repetitive impact trauma-induced equine osteoarthritis.

Abstract: To correlate degenerative changes in cartilage and subchondral bone in the third carpal bone (C3) of Standardbred racehorses with naturally occurring repetitive trauma-induced osteoarthritis. Methods: Fifteen C3, collected from Standardbred horses postmortem, were assessed for cartilage lesions by visual inspection and divided into Control (CO), Early Osteoarthritis (EOA) and Advanced Osteoarthritis (AOA) groups. Two osteochondral cores were harvested from corresponding dorsal sites on each bone and scanned with a micro-computed tomography (CT) instrument. 2D images were assembled into 3D reconstructions that were used to quantify architectural parameters from selected regions of interest, including bone mineral density and bone volume fraction. 2D images, illustrating the most severe lesion per core, were scored for architectural appearance by blinded observers. Thin sections of paraffin-embedded decalcified cores stained with Safranin O-Fast Green, matched to the micro-CT images, were scored using a modified Mankin scoring system. Results: Subchondral bone pits with deep focal areas of porosity were seen more frequently in AOA than EOA but never in CO. Articular cartilage damage was seen in association with a reduction in bone mineral and loss of bone tissue. Histological analyses revealed significant numbers of microcracks in the calcified cartilage of EOA and AOA groups and a progressive increase in the score compared with CO bones. Conclusions: The data reveal corresponding, progressive degenerative changes in articular cartilage and subchondral bone, including striking focal resorptive lesions, in the third carpal bone of racehorses subjected to repetitive, high impact trauma.
Copyright © 2012 Osteoarthritis Research Society International. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
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Publication Date: 2012-02-15 PubMed ID: 22343573DOI: 10.1016/j.joca.2012.02.004Google 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.

This research investigates the connection between degenerative changes in cartilage and the subchondral bone found in the third carpal bone of Standardbred racehorses suffering from trauma-induced osteoarthritis caused by repetitive impact. The study uses a range of investigation methods, including 3D imaging and histological analysis, to propose a progressive, mutually influencing degeneration of cartilage and bone.

Objective and Methodology

  • This study aims to observe and establish connections between degenerative changes in the cartilage and subchondral bone areas of the third carpal bone (C3) in Standardbred racehorses with naturally occurring osteoarthritis, a condition arising from repetitive trauma.
  • Postmortem carpal samples from fifteen horses were visually assessed for cartilage lesions and divided into three groups: CO (Control), EOA (Early Osteoarthritis), and AOA (Advanced Osteoarthritis).
  • The research team conducted extensive analyses on these samples, including the use of a micro-computed tomography (CT) scanner, leading to the creation of 2D and 3D representations of different architectural parameters such as bone mineral density and volume fraction.
  • In addition to this, the study employed histological analysis, using Safranin O-Fast Green staining on paraffin-embedded decalcified cores, for further examination of microcracks and tissue degeneration.

Findings

  • Severe architectural damage, characterized by subchondral bone pits and deep focal areas of porosity, was evident in the AOA group. This kind of damage was scarcely seen in the EOA group and never observed in the CO group.
  • Degenerative changes in the articular cartilage were consistently linked with a decrease in bone mineral and loss of bone tissue. The study presented these changes as a mutually influential progression of degeneration.
  • Substantial numbers of microcracks were found in the calcified cartilage of the EOA and AOA groups when a histological analysis was performed. Microcracks were seen to progressively increase when compared with control bones.

Conclusion

  • The research deduces that repetitive high-impact trauma in racehorses’ third carpal bone results in corresponding and progressive degenerative changes in the articular cartilage and subchondral bone, with significant focal resorptive lesions providing evidence of substantial cartilage and bone damage.

Cite This Article

APA
Lacourt M, Gao C, Li A, Girard C, Beauchamp G, Henderson JE, Laverty S. (2012). Relationship between cartilage and subchondral bone lesions in repetitive impact trauma-induced equine osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis Cartilage, 20(6), 572-583. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joca.2012.02.004

Publication

Osteoarthritis and cartilage
ISSN: 1522-9653
NlmUniqueID: 9305697
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 20
Issue: 6
Pages: 572-583

Researcher Affiliations

Lacourt, M
  • Comparative Orthopaedic Research Laboratory, Département de Sciences Cliniques, Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, C.P. 5000, Saint-Hyacinthe (QC), J2S 7C6, Canada. MatLacourt@aol.com
Gao, C
    Li, A
      Girard, C
        Beauchamp, G
          Henderson, J E
            Laverty, S

              MeSH Terms

              • Animals
              • Calcinosis / diagnostic imaging
              • Calcinosis / pathology
              • Carpus, Animal / diagnostic imaging
              • Carpus, Animal / pathology
              • Cartilage Diseases / diagnostic imaging
              • Cartilage Diseases / pathology
              • Cartilage, Articular / diagnostic imaging
              • Cartilage, Articular / pathology
              • Cumulative Trauma Disorders / diagnostic imaging
              • Cumulative Trauma Disorders / pathology
              • Cumulative Trauma Disorders / veterinary
              • Disease Progression
              • Female
              • Horse Diseases / diagnostic imaging
              • Horse Diseases / pathology
              • Horses
              • Male
              • Osteoarthritis / diagnostic imaging
              • Osteoarthritis / pathology
              • Osteoarthritis / veterinary
              • Porosity
              • X-Ray Microtomography / methods

              Citations

              This article has been cited 35 times.
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