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Bone2005; 38(3); 342-349; doi: 10.1016/j.bone.2005.08.020

Role of endochondral ossification of articular cartilage and functional adaptation of the subchondral plate in the development of fatigue microcracking of joints.

Abstract: The mechanisms that regulate functional adaptation of the articular ends of long bones are poorly understood. However, endochondral ossification of articular cartilage and modeling/remodeling of the subchondral plate and epiphyseal trabeculae are important components of the adaptive response. We performed a histologic study of the distal end of the third metacarpal/metatarsal bone of Thoroughbreds after bones were bulk-stained in basic fuchsin and calcified sections were prepared. The Thoroughbred racehorse is a model of an extreme athlete which experiences particularly high cyclic strains in distal limb bones. The following variables were quantified: microcrack boundary density in calcified cartilage (N.Cr/B.Bd); blood vessel boundary density in calcified cartilage (N.Ve/B.Bd); calcified cartilage width (Cl.Cg.Wi); duplication of the tidemark; and bone volume fraction of the subchondral plate (B.Ar/T.Ar). Measurements were made in five joint regions (lateral condyle and condylar groove; sagittal ridge; medial condylar and condylar groove). N.Cr/B.Bd was site-specific and was increased in the condylar groove region; this is the joint region from which parasagittal articular fatigue (condylar) fractures are typically propagated. Formation of resorption spaces in the subchondral plate was co-localized with microcracking. N.Ve/B.Bd was also site-specific. In the sagittal ridge region, N.Ve/B.Bd was increased, Cl.Cg.Wi was decreased, and B.Ar/T.Ar was decreased, when compared with the other joint regions. Multiple tidemarks were seen in all joint regions. Cumulative athletic activity was associated with a significant decrease in B.Ar/T.Ar in the condylar groove regions. N.Cr/B.Bd was positively correlated with B.Ar/T.Ar (P < 0.05, r(s) = 0.29) and N.Ve/B.Bd was negatively correlated with B.Ar/T.Ar (P < 0.005, r2 = 0.14) and Cl.Cg.Wi (P < 0.05, r2 = 0.07). We conclude that endochondral ossification of articular cartilage and modeling/remodeling of the subchondral plate promote initiation and propagation of site-specific fatigue microcracking of the joint surface, respectively, in this model. Microcracking of articular calcified cartilage likely represents mechanical failure of the joint surface. Propagation of microcracks into the subchondral plate is a critical factor in the pathogenesis of articular condylar fatigue (stress) fracture. Functional adaptation of the joint likely protects hyaline cartilage from injury in the short-term but may promote joint degeneration and osteoarthritis with ongoing athleticism.
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Publication Date: 2005-11-04 PubMed ID: 16275175DOI: 10.1016/j.bone.2005.08.020Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article
  • Research Support
  • Non-U.S. Gov't

Summary

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This research analyzes the role of endochondral ossification of articular cartilage and modeling of the subchondral plate in the development of fatigue microcracking in joint surfaces, using Thoroughbred racehorses as a model. The findings indicate that these processes may lead to site-specific joint surface damage in response to high strain conditions.

Adaptation of the Articular Ends of Long Bones

  • The research focuses on the mechanisms that regulate the adaptation of the articular ends of long bones, which are still not well understood.
  • The study pays particular attention to two processes: endochondral ossification of articular cartilage and remodeling of the subchondral plate, along with the epiphyseal trabeculae.
  • These processes are seen as significant components of the adaptive response in bones subject to high stress.

Histologic Study

  • A histologic study was conducted on the distal end of the third metacarpal/metatarsal bone in Thoroughbreds.
  • The bones were stained in basic fuchsin and calcified sections were made to delve deeper into the observed phenomena.
  • Thoroughbred racehorses were chosen as a model due to the particularly high cyclic strains their distal limb bones are subjected to, making them ideal for the study of bone adaptation under extreme conditions.

Quantified Variables

  • Several variables were measured, including microcrack boundary density in calcified cartilage, blood vessel boundary density in calcified cartilage, calcified cartilage width, duplication of the tidemark, and bone volume fraction of the subchondral plate.
  • These measurements provided valuable insights about the influence of each variable in microcrack formation within joint surfaces.

Association of Variables and Influences on Athletic Activity

  • A notable finding was the positive correlation found between microcrack boundary density and the bone volume fraction of the subchondral plate, implying a link between these to the microcracking process.
  • Moreover, cumulative athletic activity was found to be associated with a significant decrease in the bone volume fraction of the subchondral plate in certain joint regions, further demonstrating the strain from high-impact athletic activities.

Conclusions

  • The research concluded that endochondral ossification of articular cartilage and remodeling of the subchondral plate promote site-specific fatigue microcracking of the joint surface.
  • Microcracking of articular calcified cartilage likely represents a mechanical failure of the joint surface, contributing to joint degeneration and potential development of osteoarthritis with ongoing athleticism.

Cite This Article

APA
Muir P, McCarthy J, Radtke CL, Markel MD, Santschi EM, Scollay MC, Kalscheur VL. (2005). Role of endochondral ossification of articular cartilage and functional adaptation of the subchondral plate in the development of fatigue microcracking of joints. Bone, 38(3), 342-349. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bone.2005.08.020

Publication

Bone
ISSN: 8756-3282
NlmUniqueID: 8504048
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 38
Issue: 3
Pages: 342-349

Researcher Affiliations

Muir, P
  • Comparative Orthopaedic Research Laboratory, School of Veterinary Medicine, 2015 Linden Drive, Madison, WI 53706, USA. muirp@svm.vetmed.wisc.edu
McCarthy, J
    Radtke, C L
      Markel, M D
        Santschi, E M
          Scollay, M C
            Kalscheur, V L

              MeSH Terms

              • Adaptation, Physiological
              • Animals
              • Bone Remodeling
              • Cartilage, Articular / injuries
              • Cartilage, Articular / pathology
              • Fractures, Cartilage / pathology
              • Fractures, Cartilage / veterinary
              • Fractures, Stress / pathology
              • Fractures, Stress / veterinary
              • Horses
              • Metacarpus / injuries
              • Metacarpus / pathology
              • Metatarsal Bones / injuries
              • Metatarsal Bones / pathology

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