In situ and ex vivo evaluation of an arthroscopic indentation instrument to estimate the health status of articular cartilage in the equine metacarpophalangeal joint.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate an arthroscopic indentation instrument (Artscan 200) for assessment of the health status of equine articular cartilage.


METHODS
In vitro experiment using equine isolated proximal phalanx (P1) specimens.


METHODS
P1 specimens from 39 horses (aged 1.5-22 years).


METHODS
Reproducibility was tested by determination of the coefficient of variation (CV). Dynamic modulus and cartilage degeneration index (CDI) values were measured at 2 predefined sites (site 1, joint margin; site 2, joint center) to assess the accuracy and to evaluate the relation with surface integrity.


RESULTS
CV was 9.0%. A significant decrease in indenter force was identified when dynamic modulus values decreased to <2.5 MPa (range of tested samples 0.9-8.1 MPa) and when CDI values at site 1 increased to >50% (range 5.4-72.8%).


CONCLUSIONS
Technique reproducibility was adequate but accuracy was limited. The device identified degeneration-associated decreases in cartilage stiffness only when the mechanical properties of the cartilage were considerably changed.


CONCLUSIONS
Usefulness of this indentation instrument during arthroscopic surgery would be limited in the initial phase of OA-like cartilage degeneration, but may yield important information in more advanced OA.
Brommer
Harold
H
Department of Equine Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands. H.Brommer@vet.uu.nl
Laasanen
Mikko S
MS
Brama
Pieter A J
PA
van Weeren
P René
PR
Helminen
Heikki J
HJ
Jurvelin
Jukka S
JS
D000818:Animals; D020679:Arthroscopes / Q000662:veterinary*; D001182:Arthroscopy / Q000662:veterinary*; D002358:Cartilage, Articular / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000601:surgery; D006734:Horse Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery; D006736:Horses / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000601:surgery; D008662:Metacarpophalangeal Joint / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000601:surgery; D010003:Osteoarthritis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary; D015203:Reproducibility of Results