Joint degeneration following closed intraarticular fracture in the mouse knee: a model of posttraumatic arthritis.
Journal Article (Journal Article)
Posttraumatic arthritis is one of the most frequent causes of disability following joint trauma. The objective of this study was to develop a model of a closed articular fracture in the mouse knee joint to quantify the temporal sequence of joint degeneration in a model of posttraumatic arthritis. Closed intraarticular fractures were created in the tibial plateau of adult mice (C57BL/6) using a computer-controlled materials testing system and a custom-built indenter tip. Tibial plateau fractures were classified and imaged over time using high-resolution digital radiography. Animals were sacrificed at 2, 4, 8, and 50 weeks following fracture, and the experimental and contralateral control limbs were harvested for histology and micro-computed tomography (microCT) analysis. By radiographic analysis, tibial plateau fractures closely resembled clinical fractures. More complex and comminuted fractures correlated to significantly higher fracture energies. Histologic analysis demonstrated progressive joint degeneration as measured by a modified Mankin scale, with fibrillation and loss of proteoglycan in the articular cartilage. Subchondral bone thickening was also observed in experimental joints. The induction of a closed intraarticular fracture of the mouse tibial plateau generated a reproducible and clinically relevant joint injury that progressed to osteoarthritis-like changes by histologic and microCT evaluations. The ability to induce joint degeneration without an osteotomy or open arthrotomy provides a valuable new model for studying the natural sequelae of posttraumatic arthritis. Notably, the use of a murine model will facilitate the use of genetically modified animals for the investigation of specific genes implicated in the pathology of posttraumatic arthritis.
Full Text
Duke Authors
Cited Authors
- Furman, BD; Strand, J; Hembree, WC; Ward, BD; Guilak, F; Olson, SA
Published Date
- May 2007
Published In
Volume / Issue
- 25 / 5
Start / End Page
- 578 - 592
PubMed ID
- 17266145
Pubmed Central ID
- 17266145
International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)
- 0736-0266
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
- 10.1002/jor.20331
Language
- eng
Conference Location
- United States