Evidence of injury-specific mechanisms of articular cartilage degeneration in ovine models of secondary osteoarthritis

Abstract

Following injury to one or more of the primary joint stabilizers, altered joint mechanics are thought to be important factors in the development of secondary osteoarthritis [1]. Using an ovine model of joint injury, we examined differences in in vivo tibiofemoral regions of close proximity and the location and extent of subsequent articular cartilage (AC) lesions at 20 weeks postinjury. Hypothesis: Differences in location of articular cartilage focal degeneration between lateral-menisectomized (Mx) and combined anterior cruciate ligament / medial collateral ligamenttransected (ACL/MCLx) stifles coincide with changes in tibiofemoral regions of close proximity (ROCP)