Background
Management of glenohumeral arthrosis in young patients is a
considerable challenge, with a growing need for non-arthroplasty
alternatives. The objectives of this study were to develop an animal model
to study glenoid cartilage repair and to compare surgical repair strategies
to promote glenoid chondral healing.
Methods
Forty-five rabbits underwent unilateral removal of the entire glenoid
articular surface and were divided into 3 groups—duntreated defect
(UD), microfracture (MFx), and MFx plus type I/III collagen scaffold
(autologous matrix-induced chondrogenesis [AMIC])—for the evaluation
of healing at 8 weeks (12 rabbits) and 32 weeks (33 rabbits) after injury.
Contralateral shoulders served as unoperated controls. Tissue assessments
included 11.7-T magnetic resonance imaging (long-term healing group only),
Equilibrium Partitioning of an Ionic Contrast agent via microcomputed
tomography (EPIC-μCT), and histologic investigation (grades on
International Cartilage Repair Society II scoring system).
Results
At 8 weeks, x-ray attenuation, thickness, and volume did not differ
by treatment group. At 32 weeks, the T2 index (ratio of T2 values of healing
to intact glenoids) was significantly lower for the MFx group relative to
the AMIC group (P = .01) whereas the T1ρ index was
significantly lower for AMIC relative to MFx (P = .01). The
micro–computed tomography–derived repair tissue volume was
significantly higher for MFx than for UD. Histologic investigation generally
suggested inferior healing in the AMIC and UD groups relative to the MFx
group, which exhibited improvements in both integration of repair tissue
with subchondral bone and tidemark formation over time.
Discussion
Improvements conferred by AMIC were limited to magnetic resonance
imaging outcomes, whereas MFx appeared to promote increased fibrous tissue
deposition via micro–computed tomography and more hyaline-like repair
histologically. The findings from this novel model suggest that MFx promotes
biologic resurfacing of full-thickness glenoid articular injury.
Level of evidence
Basic Science Study, In Vivo Animal Model.