Surgical osteochondral defect repair in the horse—a matter of form or function?

Abstract

Focal cartilaginous and osteochondral lesions can have traumatic or chondropathic degenerative origin. The fibrocartilaginous repair tissue that forms naturally, eventually undergoes fibrillation and degeneration leading to further disruption of joint homeostasis. Both types of lesion will therefore eventually lead to activity‐related pain, swelling and decreased mobility and will frequently progress to osteoarthritis. Most attempts at realising cartilage regeneration have so far resulted in cartilage repair (and not regeneration). The aim of this article was to review experimental research on surgical cartilage restoration techniques performed so far in equine models. Currently available surgical options for treatment of osteochondral lesions in the horse are summarised. The experimental validity of equine experimental models is addressed and finally possible avenues for further research are discussed.

Composition, architecture and biomechanical properties of articular cartilage in differently loaded areas of the equine stifle

“…Other reports on the relation between the structure of cartilage and its biomechanics in the horse and other species, including humans, are in line with our results 8,12,39,40 . Still, studies on equine cartilage repair techniques commonly evaluate the quality of the obtained repair tissue by means of histological and biochemical analyses only failing to test the repair tissue structurally and even more important functionally, that is, biomechanically 13 . Our findings once more stress the important relationship between loading and biomechanical functionality of articular cartilage and how this is achieved by nature through site‐dependent adaptations in both composition and architecture of the tissue.…”

“…8,12,39,40 Still, studies on equine cartilage repair techniques commonly evaluate the quality of the obtained repair tissue by means of histological and biochemical analyses only failing to test the repair tissue structurally and even more important functionally, that is, biomechanically. 13 Our findings once more stress the important relationship between loading and biomechanical functionality of articular cartilage and how this is achieved by nature through site-dependent adaptations in both composition and architecture of the tissue. Therefore, biomechanical evaluation of repair cartilage within experimental research appears not only an important asset, but in fact a conditio sine qua non for a proper functional evaluation.…”

“…Since the architecture of the extracellular matrix of cartilage, together with its biochemical composition, determines the biomechanical properties of the tissue and is hence a crucial factor for its functionality, the topographical differences in native architecture within the joint become clinically relevant when considering cartilage repair. Strategies for cartilage regeneration or repair would need to take these differences into account in order to achieve a durable functional outcome 5,13 …”

“…Strategies for cartilage regeneration or repair would need to take these differences into account in order to achieve a durable functional outcome. 5,13 The stifle is a biomechanically versatile joint, with a unique loading pattern that includes impact, compression, tension and shear loading, and also contains non-weight-bearing areas. Being a high-mobility joint, focal articular cartilage damage, either caused by trauma or by the developmental orthopaedic disorder osteochondrosis dissecans (OCD), can cause lameness and may ultimately lead to osteoarthritis.…”

HOX Gene Expressions in Cultured Articular and Nasal Equine Chondrocytes

“…As these animals are used for sport or leisure activities, common articular therapies in equine medicine such as microfracture are unsatisfying because their histological outcomes resemble those of untreated lesions. [ 7 ]. Horses are also considered an animal model for translational research because their cartilage composition is similar to that of humans, and equine joints are exposed to tremendous load and stress [ 3 ].…”