Nanostructures of Phospholipids on Articular Cartilage Surface and their Functions

Phospholipids bilayers fulfill an important role in natural joint lamellar-repulsive lubrication mechanism. Low friction between surfaces coated with negatively charged the phospholipid headgroup (–PO4-) as being due to a hydration layer. Wettability of the cartilage surface depends on the number of PLs that act as a lubricant. The cartilage can be classified as a group of intelligent material, which in the wet state has a contact angle of ~0º, and the air-dry state has a contact angle of ~104º.

Factors Contributing to Graft Matching in a Patellar Osteochondral Allograft Selection Model (211)

Objectives: Patellar osteochondral allograft (OA) transplantation has been shown to be a successful treatment in patients with isolated patellar cartilage injury. Currently, there is minimal guidance in anatomic and sizing factors that portend similar patellar surface topography. The most commonly utilized patellar sizing criteria to match the donor and recipient is radiographic tibial width. Our hypothesis is that specific patella anatomic factors will better predict surface topography matching. To our knowledge, no prior study has investigated the topography of the patella and what intrinsic factors of the graft and the recipient affect matching of the chondral and osseous layers between the graft and defect. Methods: Computed tomography (CT) images of the specimens were acquired and three-dimensional (3D) CT models of the patella were then created and exported into point-cloud models using a 3D reconstruction software program. Circular articular cartilage and subchondral bone defect models were created in each point-cloud model of the recipient patella with a diameter of 18 mm and 22.5 mm at 3 locations: the medial, central, and lateral portions of the patellar surface. Circular articular cartilage and subchondral bone graft models were created on all possible locations on the articular cartilage surface models of the donor patellae (Figure 1). The graft models were virtually placed on the surface of the defect model. Orientation of the graft model was adjusted so that its axis matched that of the defect site. Least distances between the graft and the defect articular surface models were calculated and were defined as the shortest distance from the point in question to the corresponding point in space. A mean value of the least distances was calculated for each position of the graft model. The mean least distance of subchondral bone surface in each point was calculated simultaneously. The graft model was then rotated 360° around the axis perpendicular to the articular cartilage surface in 1° increments, and the least distance of articular cartilage surface and the resulting least distance of subchondral bone surface were calculated at each rotating angle. This procedure was repeated for all points in the articular surface model of the donor patella. Step-off was then calculated as the least mean square difference between the defect and graft along the periphery. Stepwise linear regression was used for each defect location to analyze which variables predict degree of mismatch in millimeters. Results: A total of 16 patella were utilized in analysis. Comparison of cartilage least mean square distances between locations demonstrated that the lateral location had significantly less surface incongruity compared to the other two locations (vs medial: p = .0038, vs central: p = .0046). In addition, significant differences in subchondral bone distances were observed between the locations (lateral vs medial: p = .0007, lateral vs central: p < .0001, medial vs central: p < .0001) (Table 1). The associations of six anatomic and morphologic variables with cartilage mismatch, bone mismatch, and step-off for 18 mm and 22.5 mm defects are presented in Tables 2 and Table 3. All variables were analyzed as the difference in value between the recipient and donor. For both lesion sizes, cartilage step-off was the most susceptible to variable differences. Compared to the 18 mm defect group, the 22.5 mm defects were more affected (higher coefficients) by the same differences in variables. Differences in tibial width were associated mismatch for central lesions (eg. 22.5mm defect coefficient: -0.026, p < .001), while cartilage width was associated with mismatch for lateral lesions. (eg. 22.5 mm defect coefficient: -0.034, p < .023). Conclusions: Multiple clinically relevant factors were found to affect graft and defect chondral mismatch and to a lesser extent osseous mismatch. For all three locations at both defect sizes, step-off was the most susceptible to differences in patellar morphology between the donor and recipient. In addition, differences in tibial width, a commonly used metric for patellar graft matching, did not significantly predict chondral mismatch for lateral and medial sized lesions. These findings should be considered when selecting and preparing the graft in a patella osteochondral allograft procedure.

Fourier-transformed infrared spectroscopy, physicochemical and biochemical properties of chondroitin sulfate and glucosamine as supporting information on quality control of raw materials

Background Chondroitin sulfate (CS) and glucosamine (GLcN) are recommended for the restoration of the articular cartilage surface in patients affected by osteoarthritis. They are commercialized as pharmaceutical-grade products and as food supplements, and there are reports that they do not undergo the strict quality controls of pharmaceuticals. Herein, we evaluated the physicochemical parameters of two raw materials (CS and GlcN) obtained from two distinct suppliers in Brazil and compare the obtained data with the product specification provided by the manufacturer. Also, the homogeneity and purity grade of samples were analyzed by FT-IR spectroscopy. Results The organoleptic properties and solubility of CS and GlcN samples obtained from pharmacy analyses and the supplier’s specifications are in accordance with the standards required by the Brazilian Health Regulatory Agency (ANVISA). However, the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and Bland Altman analysis of pH and the density values of samples are statistically different between the suppliers. In addition, FT-IR analyses indicated that there is non-homogeneity in the CS and GlcN samples tested, showing that both manufacturers distribute the drugs in different concentrations, although both declare the same concentration in the product technical specifications. Conclusion In summary, our study demonstrated that physicochemical parameters are insufficient to ensure product quality, and it is necessary to implement a more efficient protocol to ensure the quality of the final product. Graphical abstract

Antarctic Krill Oil Ameliorates Monosodium Iodoacetate-Induced Irregularities in Articular Cartilage and Inflammatory Response in the Rat Models of Osteoarthritis

The aim of this study was to examine the effects of Antarctic krill oil (FJH-KO) in a rat model of monosodium iodoacetate (MIA) induced osteoarthritis. The effect of FJH-KO on the development and severity of MIA-induced osteoarthritis was assessed using hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining and micro-CT. The expression of PGE2, pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, TNF-α), and arthritics related genes in osteoarthritic rats in response to FJH-KO supplementation was investigated using real time PCR. FJH-KO supplementation in the arthritic rat model reduced tissue damage, cartilage degeneration, and reduced the MIA-induced irregularities in articular cartilage surface. Serum PGE2, IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α levels were higher in MIA treated animals, but these levels decreased upon FJH-KO supplementation. When FJH-KO was provided at a dose of 150 mg/kg b.w to MIA-treated animals, it significantly increased the mRNA expression of anabolic factors. The mRNA expression of catabolic factors was significantly decreased MIA-treated animals that were provided FJH-KO at a dose of 100 and 150 mg/kg b.w. Moreover, the mRNA expression of inflammatory mediators was significantly decreased MIA-treated animals supplemented with FJH-KO. These results suggest supplementation with FJH-KO ameliorates the irregularities in articular cartilage surface and improves the inflammatory response in the osteoarthritis. Thus, FJH-KO could serve as a potential therapeutic agent for osteoarthritis treatment.

Evaluation of Cartilage in the Wrist using Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Wrist pain is a common patient complaint with a myriad of clinical conditions that can explain the underlying cause. Short of wrist arthroscopy, no technique other than formal wrist arthrotomy exists for direct examination of the hyaline cartilage coating the articular surfaces of the carpal bones. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has been proven accurate in evaluating joint surfaces of large joints such as the shoulder, hip, and knee with articular cartilage surface thickness is in excess of 1 mm. However, in the carpus the thickness of the cartilage and the contours present have precluded accurate imaging. Advances in MRI technology over the last several decades are now making imaging of small joint surfaces, such as the carpus, an area worth revisiting. Herein we provide a review of these efforts with a specific focus on the evaluation of the wrist.

Factors contributing to graft matching in a patellar osteochondral allograft selection model

Objectives: When performing a patellar osteochondral allograft, the patellar allograft is harvested from a similar anatomic location as the defect. This approach assumes that graft will have similar topography to the patellar defect. However, to our knowledge, no prior study has investigated the topography of the patella and what intrinsic factors of the graft and the recipient affect mismatch of the chondral and osseous layers between the graft and defect. Methods: Three-dimensional (3D) computed tomography (CT) models of the patella were created and exported into point-cloud models using a 3D reconstruction program (Mimics, Materialise Inc., Leuven, Belgium). Circular articular cartilage and subchondral bone defect models were created in each model of the recipient patella (diameter=18mm) at 3 locations: medial, distal, and lateral. Articular cartilage and subchondral bone graft models were created on all possible locations on the articular cartilage surface models of the donor patellae. 3D surface topographies of the articular cartilage surface and resulting subchondral bone surfaces were compared between graft and defect models. The graft models were virtually placed on the surface of the defect model. Least distances, defined as the shortest distance from the point in question to the corresponding point in space, where a perfect congruent match would equal a least distance of 0.00mm for given data points on the simulated articular cartilage surface, were calculated. A mean value of the least distances was calculated for each position of the graft model and for the subchondral bone surface, simultaneously. The graft model was then rotated 360° around the axis perpendicular to the articular cartilage surface in 1° increments, and the least distance of articular cartilage surface and least distance of subchondral bone surface were calculated at each rotating angle. This procedure was repeated for all points in the articular surface model of the donor patella. The 3D model creation and geometry matching were performed using a custom-written program coded by in Microsoft Visual C++ with Microsoft Foundation Class programming environment (Microsoft Corp., Redmond, WA). Multivariate linear regression analysis was conducted in SPSS (v26, IBM, Armonk, NY). Results: Chondral and osseous mismatch between the graft and defect were analyzed. ANOVA analysis on the multivariate linear regressions found significant predictors of cartilage mismatch for medial (p=0.002), lateral (p=0.022), and central (p=0.001) defects when testing 5 variables. However, no predicting variables were identified for osseous mismatch for medial (p=0.099), lateral (p=0.703), and central (p=0.641) defects. Differences in tibia width (p=0.005), bone width (p=0.004), and medial cartilage length (p=0.003) were predictive of mismatch in medial defects. When evaluating lateral defects, no variables were found to significantly effect mismatch, However, in this lateral defect group, the collinearity assumption of the regression was violated, as the VIF for bone width and lateral length were over 10. For the central group, difference in bone width (p=0.037), difference in percent of patella that was medial facet (p=0.001), and difference in tibial width (p=0.006) were predictive of mismatch. Conclusions: Differences between graft and recipient tibia width, bone width, and size of the medial or lateral facet are significant predictors of mismatch in patella allograft selection.

Lateral Center-Edge Angle Is Not Predictive of Acetabular Articular Cartilage Surface Area: Anatomic Variation of the Lunate Fossa

Background: Surgical treatment of symptomatic femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) and dysplasia requires careful characterization of acetabular morphology. The lateral center-edge angle (LCEA) is often used to assess lateral acetabular anatomy. Previous work has questioned the LCEA as a surrogate for acetabular contact/articular cartilage surface area because of the variable morphology of the lunate fossa. Hypothesis: We hypothesized that weightbearing articular cartilage of the acetabulum would poorly correlate with LCEA secondary to significant variation in the size of the lunate fossa. Study Design: Cohort study (Diagnosis); Level of evidence, 3. Methods: Patients with 3D CT imaging undergoing either hip arthroscopy or periacetabular osteotomy for FAI or symptomatic hip instability were retrospectively identified. The LCEA and femoral head diameter were measured on an anteroposterior pelvis radiograph. Patients were grouped according to their lateral acetabular coverage as undercoverage (LCEA, <25°), normal coverage (LCEA, 25°-40°), or overcoverage (LCEA, >40°). Patients were randomly identified until each group contained 20 patients. The articular surface area was measured from preoperative 3D CT data. Linear regression analysis was performed to examine the relationship between articular surface area and LCEA. Continuous and categorical data were analyzed utilizing analysis of variance and chi-square analysis. Statistical significance was set at P < .05. Results: No difference in age ( P = .52), body mass index (BMI) ( P = .75), or femoral head diameter ( P = .66) was noted between groups. A significant difference in articular surface area was observed between patients with undercoverage and those with overcoverage (20.4 cm2 vs 24.5 cm2; P = .01). No significant difference was identified between the undercoverage and normal groups (20.4 cm2 vs 23.3 cm2; P = .09) or the normal and overcoverage groups (23.3 cm2 vs 24.5 cm2; P = .63). A moderate positive correlation was observed between LCEA and articular surface area across all patients ( r = 0.38; P = .002) but not when patients with undercoverage were excluded ( r = 0.02; P = .88). Significant variation in surface area was observed within each group such that no patient in any group was outside of 2 SDs of the means of the other groups. When patients were categorized into quartiles established by the articular surface area for the entire population, 40% of patients with overcoverage were observed in the first or second quartile (lower area). Conclusion: Lateral acetabular undercoverage based on the LCEA (<25°) correlates with decreased acetabular surface area. Normal or increased acetabular coverage (LCEA, >25°), however, is not predictive of increased, normal, or decreased acetabular surface area.

Fractures of the Talus: Current Concepts

Talus fractures continue to represent a challenging and commonly encountered group of injuries. Its near-complete articular cartilage surface, and its role in force transmission between the leg and foot, makes successful treatment of such injuries a mandatory prerequisite to regained function. Familiarity with the complex bony, vascular, and neurologic anatomy is crucial for understanding diagnostic findings, treatment indications, and surgical techniques to maximize the likelihood of anatomic bony union. This review details the structure and function of the talus, a proper diagnostic workup, the treatment algorithm, and post-treatment course in the management of talus fractures. Level of Evidence: Level V, expert opinion.