Histopathological analysis for human articular cartilage using a Raman probe system

SignificanceThe molecular pathogenesis of degenerative alterations in articular cartilage is still not fully understood. Raman spectroscopy using a fiber-optic probe system is a promising approach for the early diagnosis and prevention of joint disorders such as osteoarthritis.AimThis study aims to characterize the degenerative changes in the joint articular cartilage using a hollow-core fiber Raman probe designed for future arthroscopic use.ApproachHuman articular cartilage specimens were obtained from 12 patients who underwent knee (n=5) or shoulder (n=7) arthroplasty. All surgical specimens were measured ex vivo after fixation in 10% neutral buffered formalin. The articular cartilage tissues at the knee, hip, and shoulder joints were obtained from a single cadaver donor. Raman spectra of the cartilage specimens were acquired and analyzed using a handheld Raman probe system.ResultsThe hollow-core fiber Raman probe detected molecular differences between less-degenerated and degenerated areas in human shoulder and knee articular cartilage ex vivo, with clearer separation in the knee, and additionally revealed joint-specific baseline spectral features among cadaveric shoulder, hip, and knee cartilage.ConclusionsThese results support the novelty and translational potential of this probe as a future in vivo arthroscopic tool for objective molecular assessment of cartilage degeneration.