Changes in mineralization in calcified cartilage and subchondral bone plate during osteoarthritis progression

SummaryHistological measurements of the thickness of non-calcified and calcified cartilage, as well as the subchondral bone plate in five locations on the femoral trochlea and medial femoral condyles of species were used in preclinical studies of articular cartilage and compared to those of the human knee. Cadaver specimens were obtained of six human knees, as well as six equine, six goat, six dog, six sheep and six rabbit stifle joints (the animal equivalent of the human knee). Specimens were taken from the lateral trochlear ridge, medial trochlear ridge and medial femoral condyle. After histopathological processing, the thickness of non-calcified and calcified cartilage layers, as well as the subchondral bone plate, was measured. Average articular cartilage thickness over five locations were 2.2–2.5 mm for human, 0.3 mm for rabbit, 0.4–0.5 mm for sheep, 0.6–1.3 mm for dog, 0.7–1.5 mm for goat and 1.5–2 mm for horse. The horse provides the closest approximation to humans in terms of articular cartilage thickness, and this approximation is considered relevant in pre-clinical studies of cartilage healing.

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The electron microscope appearance of the subchondral bone plate in the human femoral head in osteoarthritis and osteoporosis

American Journal of Anatomy ◽

10.1017/s0021878299005099 ◽

1999 ◽

Vol 195 (1) ◽

pp. 101-110

Author(s):

BAOHUA LI ◽

DEBORAH MARSHALL ◽

MARTIN ROE ◽

RICHARD M. ASPDEN

Keyword(s):

Electron Microscopy ◽

Subchondral Bone ◽

Cancellous Bone ◽

Bone Plate ◽

Control Group ◽

Textured Surface ◽

Subchondral Bone Plate ◽

Microscopic Appearance ◽

Calcified Cartilage ◽

Femoral Heads

The subchondral bone plate supports the articular cartilage in diarthrodial joints. It has a significant mechanical function in transmitting loads from the cartilage into the underlying cancellous bone and has been implicated in the destruction of cartilage in osteoarthritis (OA) and its sparing in osteoporosis (OP), but little is known of its composition, structure or material properties. This study investigated the microscopic appearance and mineral composition of the subchondral bone plate in femoral heads from patients with OA or OP to determine how these correspond to changes in composition and stiffness found in other studies. Freeze-fractured full-depth samples of the subchondral bone plate from the femoral heads of patients with osteoarthritis, osteoporosis or a matched control group were examined using back scattered and secondary emission scanning electron microscopy. Other samples were embedded and polished and examined using back-scattered electron microscopy and electron probe microanalysis. The appearances of the samples from the normal and osteoporotic patients were very similar, with the subchondral bone plate overlayed by a layer of calcified cartilage. Osteoporotic samples presented a more uniform fracture surface and the relative thicknesses of the layers appeared to be different. In contrast, the OA bone plate appeared to be porous and have a much more textured surface. There were occasional sites of microtrabecular bone formation between the trabeculae of the underlying cancellous bone, which were not seen in the other groups, and more numerous osteoclast resorption pits. The calcified cartilage layer was almost absent and the bone plate was apparently thickened. The appearance of the osteoarthritic subchondral bone plate was, therefore, considerably different from both the normal and the osteoporotic, strongly indicative of abnormal cellular activity.

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Histomorphometric analysis of articular cartilage, zone of calcified cartilage, and subchondral bone plate in femoral heads from clinically normal dogs and dogs with moderate or severe osteoarthritis

American Journal of Veterinary Research ◽

10.2460/ajvr.67.10.1719 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 67 (10) ◽

pp. 1719-1724 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Brian M. Daubs ◽

Mark D. Markel ◽

Paul A. Manley

Keyword(s):

Articular Cartilage ◽

Subchondral Bone ◽

Bone Plate ◽

Subchondral Bone Plate ◽

Histomorphometric Analysis ◽

Clinically Normal ◽

Calcified Cartilage ◽

Femoral Heads

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Is there a characteristic distal tarsal subchondral bone plate thickness pattern in horses with no history of hindlimb lameness?

Equine Veterinary Journal ◽

10.2746/042516405774479951 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 37 (5) ◽

pp. 450-455 ◽

Cited By ~ 34

Author(s):

M. V. BRANCH ◽

R. C. MURRAY ◽

S. J. DYSON ◽

A. E. GOODSHIP

Keyword(s):

Subchondral Bone ◽

Plate Thickness ◽

Bone Plate ◽

Subchondral Bone Plate ◽

History Of ◽

Hindlimb Lameness

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Changes of density distribution of the subchondral bone plate after supramalleolar osteotomy for valgus ankle osteoarthritis

Journal of Orthopaedic Research® ◽

10.1002/jor.22683 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 32 (10) ◽

pp. 1356-1361 ◽

Cited By ~ 14

Author(s):

Christian Egloff ◽

Jochen Paul ◽

Geert Pagenstert ◽

Patrick Vavken ◽

Beat Hintermann ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Density Distribution ◽

Subchondral Bone ◽

Bone Plate ◽

Subchondral Bone Plate ◽

Ankle Osteoarthritis ◽

Supramalleolar Osteotomy

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The mineralization patterns at the subchondral bone plate of the glenoid cavity in healthy shoulders

Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery ◽

10.1067/mse.2002.121635 ◽

2002 ◽

Vol 11 (2) ◽

pp. 174-181 ◽

Cited By ~ 27

Author(s):

Christoph U. Schulz ◽

Manfred Pfahler ◽

Hermann M. Anetzberger ◽

Christoph R. Becker ◽

Magdalena Müller-Gerbl ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Subchondral Bone ◽

Bone Plate ◽

Subchondral Bone Plate ◽

Glenoid Cavity

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Biochemical Signals Mediate the Crosstalk between Cartilage and Bone in Osteoarthritis

BioMed Research International ◽

10.1155/2020/5720360 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 2020 ◽

pp. 1-8

Author(s):

Xuchang Zhou ◽

Hong Cao ◽

Yu Yuan ◽

Wei Wu

Keyword(s):

Subchondral Bone ◽

Essential Role ◽

Bone Remodelling ◽

Functional Unit ◽

Subchondral Bone Plate ◽

Calcified Cartilage ◽

Osteoarthritis Treatment ◽

And Function ◽

Biochemical Signals ◽

Joint Integrity

Osteochondral junction is a functional unit comprising the articular cartilage, calcified cartilage, and subchondral bone. Alteration in any component of this composite unit can disrupt the joint integrity and function directly or indirectly. Biochemical signals mediate the crosstalk between tissues and play an essential role in the initiation and progression of osteoarthritis. As osteoarthritis progresses, abnormal subchondral bone remodelling leads to increased angiogenesis and porosity of the subchondral bone plate, which further triggers biochemical signals to mediate the crosstalk between cartilage and bone, contributing to the progression of osteoarthritis. Notably, common biochemical signals include the TGF-β/Smad, Wnt/β-catenin, RANK/RANKL/OPG, and MAPK pathways. This biomarker crosstalk network is the basis of osteoarthritis pathogenesis, and some of their key regulators may be potential therapeutic targets for osteoarthritis drug therapy. This review summarised the biochemical crosstalk between cartilage and bone in the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis, which may provide the basis for the discovery of osteoarthritis treatment targets.

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Supramalleolar osteotomy and AMIC cartilage reconstruction in severe cartilage lesion

Foot & Ankle Orthopaedics ◽

10.1177/2473011418s00488 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 3 (3) ◽

pp. 2473011418S0048

Author(s):

Hajo Thermann

Keyword(s):

Subchondral Bone ◽

Cystic Lesion ◽

Cartilage Damage ◽

Case Series ◽

Cartilage Lesion ◽

Bone Plate ◽

Subchondral Bone Plate ◽

Cartilage Lesions ◽

Supramalleolar Osteotomy ◽

Cartilage Reconstruction

Category: Ankle Introduction/Purpose: Severve cartilage lesion is defined by the author as: Cartilage substantial deterioration of the subchondral bone Kissing lesion, tibial and talar lesion. Gross cystic lesion Cartilage damage greater than 1/3 of the talar dome or the tibial platform Slerotic changes of the subchondral bone plate in arthritic cases in severe hindfoot varus or valgus alignment. This paper shows in a case series, exceptional cartilage lesions with the above mentioned pathological changes. The indications, strategies for osteotomies and the treatment strategies in malaligned bipolar, cystic and gross cartilage lesions is explained. Methods: 35 patients with severe circumscript varus / valgus arthritis have been operated by supramalleolar osteotomy (SMOT), 11 of them with (tibial & talar “kissing”) lesions. 70 patients presented bipolar (tibial & talar “kissing”) lesions with correct hindfoot axis. 18 patients had a gross cystic lesion and were additionally treated with filling of the cysts. 2 of them had a “kissing lesion”. Results: All patients received an AMIC procedure (hyaluronic matrix, Hyalofast©) for cartilage reconstruction. The biological healing support was in all cases bone marrow aspirate and ACP© growth factors. The subchondral bone plate was treated aggressively was a power raps or burr according to L. Johnson technique The importance of a supramalleolar and calcaneous osteotomy in a hindfoot malalignment (varus / valgus) as a treatment key aspect for load transfer is elaborated. Planned early implant removal with revision und biological boosting of the cartilage regeneration is a further cornerstone of the treatment. Followup were evaluated by FAOS score Conclusion: This cases series have shown the possibilities for a successfull managing of this severe lesions and offers also its limit in the over all results.

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