Valoración de un modelo experimental para el análisis cuantitativo de la degeneración articular

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate joint degeneration on four surgically induced models of Osteoarthritis in the Ovine ?s stifle in order to establish a model of early joint degeneration using different magnetic resonance imaging semi quantitative scales. Material and methods: Twenty, 3-year old merino female sheep were randomly assigned to one of four open procedures: Group 1 anterior cruciate ligament transection, Group 2 total medial meniscectomy, Group 3 an- terior cruciate ligament transection combined with total medial meniscectomy and Group 4 mid-body transec- tion of the medial meniscus. All sheep were euthanized at 8 weeks post-surgery, when the magnetic resonance imagings were performed. The assessment of joint degeneration was performed using the WORMS, BLOCK and MOAKs scales. Results: Group 3 (anterior cruciate ligament transection combined with total medial meniscectomy) obtained the highest values of joint degeneration followed by Group 4 (mid-body transection of the medial meniscus). Groups 1 (anterior cruciate ligament transaction) and 2 (total medial meniscectomy) showed similar values. Conclusion: Induced anterior cruciate ligament transection combined with total medial meniscectomy in the Ovine ?s stifle induced a higher degree of joint degeneration than the rest of models described in the literature