The Application of an Indenter System to Measure Structural Properties of Articular Cartilage in the Horse. Suitability of the Instrument and Correlation with Biochemical Data

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A recently developed indenter system that aims at determination of local structural properties of the cartilage surface was evaluated for suitability in the horse. To this aim, maximum indenter force was measured of the articular surface and related to biochemical characteristics of the cartilage at different sites of the distal metacarpal bone (MC). Significant topographical variation exists in structural properties of the articular surface of the MC. The dorsal margin showed a significantly lower maximum indenter force than more centrally located areas, indicating an increased compliance under load. A high maximum indenter force correlated positively with high glycosaminoglycan levels. No correlation was found between measured indenter force and collagen content of the cartilage. It was concluded that the instrument is able to quantify differences in structural properties of the cartilage surface which reflect glycosaminoglycan content and hence is capable of giving some indication of cartilage quality. The instrument is a potentially useful tool, but use is limited due to geometrical constraints.