THU0019 Age-Related Histological Changes in Calcified Cartilage and Subchondral Bone Plate in Complete Human 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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Changes in mineralization in calcified cartilage and subchondral bone plate during osteoarthritis progression

Osteoarthritis and Cartilage ◽

10.1016/j.joca.2019.02.238 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 27 ◽

pp. S160-S161

Author(s):

S. Das Gupta ◽

M.A. Finnilä ◽

S.S. Karhula ◽

R. Korhonen ◽

A. Thambyah ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Subchondral Bone ◽

Bone Plate ◽

Subchondral Bone Plate ◽

Calcified Cartilage ◽

Osteoarthritis Progression

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The influence of osteoarthritic degeneration on the mineral composition and structural properties of human calcified cartilage and subchondral bone plate

Osteoarthritis and Cartilage ◽

10.1016/j.joca.2020.02.490 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 28 ◽

pp. S317-S318

Author(s):

S. Das Gupta ◽

M. Finnilä ◽

L. Rieppo ◽

I. Kestilä ◽

V. Lutz Bueno ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Structural Properties ◽

Mineral Composition ◽

Subchondral Bone ◽

Bone Plate ◽

Subchondral Bone Plate ◽

Calcified Cartilage

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A comparative study of articular cartilage thickness in the stifle of animal species used in human pre-clinical studies compared to articular cartilage thickness in the human knee

Veterinary and Comparative Orthopaedics and Traumatology ◽

10.1055/s-0038-1632990 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 19 (03) ◽

pp. 142-146 ◽

Cited By ~ 169

Author(s):

D. D. Frisbie ◽

M. W. Cross ◽

C. W. McIlwraith

Keyword(s):

Articular Cartilage ◽

Subchondral Bone ◽

Clinical Studies ◽

Femoral Condyle ◽

Cartilage Thickness ◽

Bone Plate ◽

Subchondral Bone Plate ◽

Femoral Trochlea ◽

Human Knee ◽

Calcified Cartilage

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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Computed tomography osteoabsorptiometry-based investigation on subchondral bone plate alterations in sacroiliac joint dysfunction

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-021-88049-2 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

A. Poilliot ◽

T. Doyle ◽

D. Kurosawa ◽

M. Toranelli ◽

M. Zhang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Subchondral Bone ◽

Sacroiliac Joint ◽

Hounsfield Unit ◽

Bone Plate ◽

Healthy Controls ◽

Subchondral Bone Plate ◽

Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction ◽

Age Related ◽

And Control

AbstractSacroiliac joint dysfunction (SIJD) is an underappreciated source of back pain. Mineralization patterns of the sacroiliac (SIJ) subchondral bone plate (SCB) may reflect long-term adaptations to the loading of the joint. Mineralization densitograms of 27 SIJD patients and 39 controls, were obtained using CT osteoabsorptiometry. Hounsfield unit (HU) values of the SCB mineralization of superior, anterior and inferior regions on the iliac and sacral auricular surfaces were derived and statistically compared between SIJD-affected and control cohorts. Healthy controls showed higher HU values in the iliac; 868 ± 211 (superior), 825 ± 121 (anterior), 509 ± 114 (inferior), than in the sacral side; 541 ± 136 (superior), 618 ± 159 (anterior), 447 ± 91 (inferior), of all regions (p < 0.01). This was similar in SIJD; ilium 908 ± 170 (superior), 799 ± 166 (anterior), 560 ± 135 (inferior), sacrum 518 ± 150 (superior), 667 ± 151 (anterior), 524 ± 94 (inferior). In SIJD, no significant HU differences were found when comparing inferior sacral and iliac regions. Furthermore, HU values in the inferior sacral region were significantly higher when compared to the same region of the healthy controls (524 ± 94 vs. 447 ± 91, p < 0.01). Region mineralization correlated negatively with age (p < 0.01). SIJD-affected joints reflect a high mineralization of the sacral inferior region, suggesting increased SIJD-related mechanical stresses. Age-related SCB demineralization is present in all individuals, regardless of dysfunction.

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