Articular cartilage response to blunt vs sharp lesions in an in vivo equine carpal groove model

Abstract

Purpose: Chondral defects are common in humans and horses and may initiate the development of osteoarthritis. However, if, when and how they should be approached therapeutically is still subject of discussion. In the equine carpal joint, critical size of chondral lesions has been determined at 2mm diameter, beyond which no spontaneous healing occurs. However, the progression of degeneration is likely determined by other factors besides the size of a lesion. In bovine cartilage explants, sharp and blunt trauma lead to different responses in the tissue adjacent to the lesion.