Subchondral Cellular Density Decreases with Increasing Grade of Cartilage Degeneration in Knee Osteoarthritis – An Ex vivo Histopathological Analysis
Introduction: Subchondral milieu has been the region of interest in recent clinical trials demonstrating it as an effective treatment focus in knee osteoarthritis (OA). However, a systematic analysis of the subchondral cell population density is lacking in knee OA. Hence, this study aims to analyze...
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Indian Orthopaedic Research Group
2025-02-01
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| Series: | Journal of Orthopaedic Case Reports |
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| Online Access: | https://jocr.co.in/wp/2025/02/01/subchondral-cellular-density-decreases-with-increasing-grade-of-cartilage-degeneration-in-knee-osteoarthritis-an-ex-vivo-histopathological-analysis/ |
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| author | Sathish Muthu Ragavi Kandasamy Suryaprabha Palanisamy Arun Anand Palaniappan |
| author_facet | Sathish Muthu Ragavi Kandasamy Suryaprabha Palanisamy Arun Anand Palaniappan |
| author_sort | Sathish Muthu |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Introduction:
Subchondral milieu has been the region of interest in recent clinical trials demonstrating it as an effective treatment focus in knee osteoarthritis (OA). However, a systematic analysis of the subchondral cell population density is lacking in knee OA. Hence, this study aims to analyze the cell population density of the subchondral zone for every stage of cartilage degeneration to analyze the rationale behind this evolving treatment method for knee OA.
Materials and Methods:
This is an ex vivo histopathological analysis of the distal femur and proximal tibia articular specimens from the patients undergoing total knee replacement for primary knee OA between November 2023 and March 2024. Two pathologists independently graded and analyzed the subchondral cell density based on the International Cartilage Repair Society cartilage injury grading system.
Results:
We noted a significant association between the grade of cartilage degeneration and the subchondral cell density (r = 0.831, P < 0.001). We noted a statistically significant decrease in the cell density for every stage of cartilage injury compared to the control (P < 0.001). We also noted a significant decrease in cell density between the early and late stages of cartilage degeneration (P < 0.001). We did not note any significant difference in the cell density between the tibial and femoral articular cartilage for every grade of cartilage degeneration analyzed (P = 0.432).
Conclusion:
Subchondral cell density decreases significantly with increasing grade of degeneration in knee OA. Subchondral milieu warrants attention to be considered as a potential treatment focus that could alter the disease progression in knee OA. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-f7fd418f23f84e43bbf0ce3feda3acba |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2250-0685 2321-3817 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-02-01 |
| publisher | Indian Orthopaedic Research Group |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Orthopaedic Case Reports |
| spelling | doaj-art-f7fd418f23f84e43bbf0ce3feda3acba2025-08-20T03:31:24ZengIndian Orthopaedic Research GroupJournal of Orthopaedic Case Reports2250-06852321-38172025-02-0115222723210.13107/jocr.2025.v15.i02.5292Subchondral Cellular Density Decreases with Increasing Grade of Cartilage Degeneration in Knee Osteoarthritis – An Ex vivo Histopathological AnalysisSathish MuthuRagavi KandasamySuryaprabha PalanisamyArun Anand PalaniappanIntroduction: Subchondral milieu has been the region of interest in recent clinical trials demonstrating it as an effective treatment focus in knee osteoarthritis (OA). However, a systematic analysis of the subchondral cell population density is lacking in knee OA. Hence, this study aims to analyze the cell population density of the subchondral zone for every stage of cartilage degeneration to analyze the rationale behind this evolving treatment method for knee OA. Materials and Methods: This is an ex vivo histopathological analysis of the distal femur and proximal tibia articular specimens from the patients undergoing total knee replacement for primary knee OA between November 2023 and March 2024. Two pathologists independently graded and analyzed the subchondral cell density based on the International Cartilage Repair Society cartilage injury grading system. Results: We noted a significant association between the grade of cartilage degeneration and the subchondral cell density (r = 0.831, P < 0.001). We noted a statistically significant decrease in the cell density for every stage of cartilage injury compared to the control (P < 0.001). We also noted a significant decrease in cell density between the early and late stages of cartilage degeneration (P < 0.001). We did not note any significant difference in the cell density between the tibial and femoral articular cartilage for every grade of cartilage degeneration analyzed (P = 0.432). Conclusion: Subchondral cell density decreases significantly with increasing grade of degeneration in knee OA. Subchondral milieu warrants attention to be considered as a potential treatment focus that could alter the disease progression in knee OA.https://jocr.co.in/wp/2025/02/01/subchondral-cellular-density-decreases-with-increasing-grade-of-cartilage-degeneration-in-knee-osteoarthritis-an-ex-vivo-histopathological-analysis/histopathologyknee osteoarthritissubchondral zonemesenchymal stromal cellsregenerative medicine |
| spellingShingle | Sathish Muthu Ragavi Kandasamy Suryaprabha Palanisamy Arun Anand Palaniappan Subchondral Cellular Density Decreases with Increasing Grade of Cartilage Degeneration in Knee Osteoarthritis – An Ex vivo Histopathological Analysis Journal of Orthopaedic Case Reports histopathology knee osteoarthritis subchondral zone mesenchymal stromal cells regenerative medicine |
| title | Subchondral Cellular Density Decreases with Increasing Grade of Cartilage Degeneration in Knee Osteoarthritis – An Ex vivo Histopathological Analysis |
| title_full | Subchondral Cellular Density Decreases with Increasing Grade of Cartilage Degeneration in Knee Osteoarthritis – An Ex vivo Histopathological Analysis |
| title_fullStr | Subchondral Cellular Density Decreases with Increasing Grade of Cartilage Degeneration in Knee Osteoarthritis – An Ex vivo Histopathological Analysis |
| title_full_unstemmed | Subchondral Cellular Density Decreases with Increasing Grade of Cartilage Degeneration in Knee Osteoarthritis – An Ex vivo Histopathological Analysis |
| title_short | Subchondral Cellular Density Decreases with Increasing Grade of Cartilage Degeneration in Knee Osteoarthritis – An Ex vivo Histopathological Analysis |
| title_sort | subchondral cellular density decreases with increasing grade of cartilage degeneration in knee osteoarthritis an ex vivo histopathological analysis |
| topic | histopathology knee osteoarthritis subchondral zone mesenchymal stromal cells regenerative medicine |
| url | https://jocr.co.in/wp/2025/02/01/subchondral-cellular-density-decreases-with-increasing-grade-of-cartilage-degeneration-in-knee-osteoarthritis-an-ex-vivo-histopathological-analysis/ |
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