Summary
Carpi from six clinically normal adult horses were used to determine biomechanical
properties of equine midcarpal articular cartilage, and compare sites of high and
low incidence of osteochondral injury. Test sites were central and dorsal C3, both facets, central and dorsal distal CR and QI central C4 and QU. An automated indentation apparatus was used to obtain creep behaviour, aggregate
modulus (HA ), Poisson’s ratio (vS), permeability (k), and cartilage thickness (h) at each site. Results were analyzed
using ANOVA and multiple comparisons of means (p<0.05). Results revealed significant
variations in HA and h between test sites, and in HA between dorsal and central sites
(p = 0.0001). Right cartilage overall was stiffer (p = 0.0006), less permeable (p
= 0.0001), and more compressible (p = 0.0001) than left. Topographical variations
in biomechanical properties existed, with significant differences between sites of
high and low incidence of lesions, and between right and left sides.
An automated indentation apparatus was used to determine and topographically map the
biomechanical properties of equine midcarpal articular cartilage, and to compare them
at sites predisposed to osteochondral injury with those at rare lesion sites. Results
showed topographical variations exist, with significant differences between sites
of high and low incidence of lesions, and between right and left sides.
Keywords
Equine - articular cartilage - carpus - biomechanics - cartilage material properties
