PURPOSE: To identify the surface collagen orientations of the distal femur and create a generic cartilage split-line map that could be used as a reference guide for the proper alignment of autogenous cartilage transplants. TYPE OF STUDY: Anatomic, cadaveric study. METHODS: Eight fresh cadaveric knee joints were used to determine the collagen fiber orientation of the superficial layer of the articular cartilage of the distal femur. A split-line technique was used, in which a dissecting needle dipped in India ink was inserted into the cartilage. The resulting split between collagen fibers identified the preferential orientation of the collagen fibers at each needle insertion point. RESULTS: The results of the study show that a precise and consistent orientation of collagen fibers exists in areas that are known to experience significant joint load. CONCLUSIONS: Because the orientation of these split lines is thought to reflect the direction of tensile forces normally seen by the articular cartilage at a specific area, we hypothesize that proper orientation of autogenous cartilage plugs (with respect to split-line direction) may maximize resistance to these tensile forces and thus optimize the long-term health of these cartilage plugs.
PURPOSE: To identify the surface collagen orientations of the distal femur and create a generic cartilage split-line map that could be used as a reference guide for the proper alignment of autogenous cartilage transplants. TYPE OF STUDY: Anatomic, cadaveric study. METHODS: Eight fresh cadaveric knee joints were used to determine the collagen fiber orientation of the superficial layer of the articular cartilage of the distal femur. A split-line technique was used, in which a dissecting needle dipped in India ink was inserted into the cartilage. The resulting split between collagen fibers identified the preferential orientation of the collagen fibers at each needle insertion point. RESULTS: The results of the study show that a precise and consistent orientation of collagen fibers exists in areas that are known to experience significant joint load. CONCLUSIONS: Because the orientation of these split lines is thought to reflect the direction of tensile forces normally seen by the articular cartilage at a specific area, we hypothesize that proper orientation of autogenous cartilage plugs (with respect to split-line direction) may maximize resistance to these tensile forces and thus optimize the long-term health of these cartilage plugs.
Authors: Isaac E Erickson; Steven C van Veen; Swarnali Sengupta; Sydney R Kestle; Robert L Mauck Journal: Clin Orthop Relat Res Date: 2011-10 Impact factor: 4.176
Authors: Jae Bong Choi; Inchan Youn; Li Cao; Holly A Leddy; Christopher L Gilchrist; Lori A Setton; Farshid Guilak Journal: J Biomech Date: 2007-03-29 Impact factor: 2.712
Authors: Milad Rakhsha; Colin R Smith; Antonio Recuero; Scott C E Brandon; Michael F Vignos; Darryl G Thelen; Dan Negrut Journal: Comput Methods Biomech Biomed Eng Imaging Vis Date: 2018-06-11
Authors: W C Bae; V W Wong; J Hwang; J M Antonacci; G E Nugent-Derfus; M E Blewis; M M Temple-Wong; R L Sah Journal: Osteoarthritis Cartilage Date: 2008-01-11 Impact factor: 6.576