Streaming Potential-Based Arthroscopic Device Discerns Topographical Differences In Cartilage Covered And Uncovered By Meniscus In Ovine Stifle Joints

Animal models of osteoarthritis have been used for understanding diseaseprogression and are essential for assessing potential new therapies. Ovine models, such as the lateral meniscectomy model, are of interest because meniscectomy models often follow a disease progression similar to that in humans, and joint size is sufficient for multiple analyses of cartilage including biomechanical, biochemical & histological evaluations. Current evaluation methods do not allow for non-destructive, sequential, quantitative assessment of cartilage function. We have used a new arthroscopic device, Arthro-BST, to non-destructively evaluate cartilage at multiple positions in ovine knee (stifle) joints. Topographical patterns were consistent among users, with a high reliability as determined by the Intraclass Correlation Coefficient of 0.64. Values of the quantitative parameter, cartilage mechanical properties & cartilage thickness all depend on location and meniscal coverage (Table 1). Some variability among users could be attributed to user-specific differences in positioning the device on the relatively small cartilage surfaces and the broad range of mechanical properties and cartilage thickness observed on these joint surfaces (Table 1). The mechanical properties measured in this study are consistent with mechanical measurements of cartilage on human tibial plateau, where thinner, stiffer cartilage was found in regions beneath the meniscus. Cartilage QP maps, generated with the Arthro-BST, were related to meniscal coverage in the sheep stifle. In future studies, additional parameters such as water content & collagen cross-links will be assessed to further describe the relationship between QP and cartilage functional mechanical properties.