Assessment of healthy trapeziometacarpal cartilage properties using indentation testing and contrast-enhanced computed tomography

Benjamin Dourthe; Reza Nickmanesh; David R. Wilson; Priscilla D'Agostino; Amit N. Patwa; Mark W. Grinstaff; Brian D. Snyder; Evie Vereecke
Clinical Biomechanics 61 (2019) 181–189

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clinbiomech.2018.12.015

34 citations · 8 en 2025–2026

Les titres, résumés et légendes des publications sont présentés en anglais.

Background

The trapeziometacarpal joint is a common site for osteoarthritis development in the hand. When osteoarthritis is present, it results in significant functional disabilities due to the broad range of activities performed by this joint. However, our understanding of osteoarthritis initiation and progression at this joint is limited because of the current lack of knowledge regarding the properties and structure of the corresponding cartilage layers. The objective of this study is to assess the morphological and mechanical properties of trapeziometacarpal cartilage via the combination of indentation testing and contrast-enhanced computed tomography. Such research may lead to the development of medical imaging-based approaches to measure cartilage properties in vivo.

Methods

Intact first metacarpals and trapezia were extracted from 16 fresh-frozen human cadaver hands. For each specimen, load-displacement behavior was measured at 9 testing sites using a standardized indentation testing device to calculate the normal force and Young's modulus of the cartilage sub-regions. The specimens were then immersed in CA4+ contrast agent solution for 48 h and subsequently scanned with a resolution of 41 μm in a HR-pQCT scanner to measure cartilage thickness and attenuation. Finally, correlations between compressive Young's modulus and contrast-enhanced computed tomography attenuation of the cartilage were assessed.

Findings

No significant difference was found in cartilage thickness between the trapezium and first metacarpal, but the comparison between articular regions showed thinner cartilage around the volar aspect of both the first metacarpal and the trapezium. The first metacarpal cartilage was stiffer than the trapezial cartilage. A significant positive correlation was observed between Young's modulus and mean contrast-enhanced CT attenuations in

superficial and full-depth cartilage in both the first metacarpal and the trapezium cartilage.

Interpretation

The quantitative measurements of trapeziometacarpal thickness and stiffness as well as a correlation between Young's modulus and contrast-enhanced computed tomography attenuation provides a method for the non-destructive in vivo assessment of cartilage properties, a greater understanding of thumb cartilage behavior, and a dataset for the development of more accurate computer models.

Keywords

Thumb, Trapeziometacarpal joint, Cartilage properties, Contrast-enhanced computed tomography, Osteoarthritis

Utilisation des équipements

Le Mach-1 Mechanical Tester a mesuré le comportement force–déplacement du cartilage en neuf sites sur des premiers métacarpiens et des trapèzes provenant de mains cadavériques humaines. Un indenteur sphérique permettait une indentation normale à la surface, quelle que soit son orientation, pour évaluer le module de Young régional. Des mesures distinctes par HR-pQCT avec contraste fournissaient l’épaisseur et l’atténuation du cartilage pour comparaison avec les propriétés mécaniques.