Spezifisches Verteilungsmuster der Knorpelelastizität und -dicke am Talus des Pferdes^[*]

Zusammenfassung

Gegenstand und Ziel: In der vorliegenden Arbeit wurden erstmals Referenzwerte für die Knorpelelastizität und Knorpeldicke am Talus des Pferdes ermittelt. Die postmortal durchgeführte Untersuchung umfasste 24 Pferde verschiedenen Alters (zwei Fohlen, ein Jährling, 21 adulte Tiere). Material und Methoden: Die Knorpelelastizität wurde an 23 Messpunkten mit einer auch intra vitam einsetzbaren Indentermesssonde (Art - scan® 200) getestet. Die Bestimmung der Knorpeldicke erfolgte mit einer Messlupe an 18 Messpunkten des geschnittenen Knorpelpräparats. Ergebnisse: Die Sprunggelenke der neugeborenen Fohlen zeigten eine homogene Verteilung der Knorpelelastizität über den gesamten Rollkamm. Eine Knorpeldickemessung war aufgrund der noch nicht abgeschlossenen enchondralen Ossifikation nicht möglich. Die Tali des Jährlings wiesen bereits eine deutliche Heterogenität der Knorpelelastizität und -dickeF auf. Die adulten Tiere zeigten mit einer hohen Signifikanz (p < 0,001) einen deutlichen Trend einer nach distal abnehmenden Knorpelelastizität und einer gegenläufigen Verteilung der Knorpeldicke. An den proximalen Messpunkten wurden Werte von 0,873–1,321 Newton (N) erreicht, an den distalsten Messpunkten nur noch 0,375–0,550 N. Für die Knorpeldicke ergaben sich proximal Werte von 0,49–0,78 mm und distal von 0,68–1,08 mm. Schlussfolgerung: Die verwendete Messsonde eignet sich zur Bestimmung der Knorpelelastizität beim Pferd. Die Knorpelelastizität und -dicke am equinen Talus weisen ein lokales und altersabhängiges Verteilungs muster auf. Klinische Relevanz: Bei der Detektion von frühen pathologischen Veränderungen der Knorpelmatrix muss die lokalisations- und altersspezifische Ausprägung der Knorpelelastizität berücksichtigt werden.

Summary

Objective: This article deals for the first time with reference values for cartilage stiffness and cartilage thickness at the talus of the horse. Material and methods: 24 horses of different age (two foals, one yearling, 21 adults) were examined post mortem. Cartilage stiffness was determined in vitro at 23 measuring points on the talus by an indenter (Artscan® 200) which can be used likewise intra vitam. The measuring probe was placed on the cartilage at a force of 2 Newton (N) in an angle of 20 degrees for about 2 seconds. Cartilage thickness was determined using a magnifying measuring glass on 18 measuring points on the sliced cartilage preparation. In the newborn foal, the determination of the cartilage thickness was not possible due to the not yet finished enchondral ossification. In the adult horses, three to four measuring points were compared with one another on hypothetical measuring lines on and at the flanks of the trochlear ridges. With linear regression slopes (trends) on the proximodistal measuring lines were calculated within each horse. By means of the single-sample t test the mean slope was compared with zero to its statistical relevance. As regards the foal and the yearling, a descriptive statistical analysis was performed. Results: The hocks of the newborn foals showed a homogeneous distribution of the cartilage stiffness over the entire talus. The tali of the yearling already presented a clear heterogeneity of cartilage stiffness and thickness. In the adult animals, cartilage stiffness decreased significantly from proximal to distal (p < 0.001). Cartilage thickness showed a contrary tendency and increased to distal. This trend was seen directly on the trochlear ridges as well as on the lateral flanks. Values from 0.873–1.321 Newton (N) were reached at the proximal measuring points, whereas the most distal ones reached only 0.375–0.550 N. Cartilage thickness here is antidromic to cartilage stiffness over the entire talus with proximal values from 0.49–0.78 mm and distal ones from 0.68–1.08 mm. Conclusions: The indenter system is useful to measure cartilage stiffness in the horse. Cartilage stiffness and thickness of the equine talus show a site-specific and age-related pattern. Clinical relevance: To detect early pathological changes in cartilage matrix intra vitam the specific distribution pattern of cartilage stiffness should be considered.

Schlüsselwörter

Tarsus - Knorpel - Sprunggelenk - Indentation - Altersabhängigkeit

Keywords

Tarsus - cartilage - hock - indentation - stiffness - age related

^* Herrn Prof. Dr. R. Fritsch zum 80. Geburtstag gewidmet.

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