Cartilage Aging

Question 1

Contrast hyaline and fibrocartilage

Answer 1

Purpose of cartilage:
Template of bone growth
Resist compression
Support
Flexible
Lubrication and movement

Hyaline:
Type 2 collagen
Articular joints, nasal septum, trachea, larynx

Fibrocartilage:
Type 1 and 2 collagen
Intervertebral discs, meniscus, ear

Question 2

What is the pathophysiology of osteoarthritis?

Answer 2

Ageing is the main risk factor

Progressive and permanent deterioration of articular cartilage

Usually secondary disease due to trauma or genetic condition

Question 3

What are the signalment and clinical signs for OA?

Answer 3

Signalment:
TB racehorse
20% adult dogs
80% geriatric dogs
Common in greyhounds and large breeds
Dogs with larger humeral head sizes
90% in older cats

CS:
Pain, swelling, stiffness, crepitus, relucance to climb stairs, narrowing of joint spaces, osteophyte formation of xray

Question 4

How is osteoarthritis treated?

Answer 4

Controlled exercise of short duration
NSAIDs
Glucosamine and chondriotin

Question 5

What is the ageing process of cartilage?

Answer 5

Proteoglycan breakdown over time cause junk accumulation in ECM leading to increase in swelling pressure

OA occurs when there is an imbalance between anabolic and catabolic processes of chondrocytes

Cartilage will therefore thin with age

Question 6

What does not predict OA?

Answer 6

Joint laxity in dogs

Ageing

Question 7

What inflammatory indicators are present in OA?

Answer 7

Absence of systemic inflammation
Few neutrophils in synovial fluid
Synovitis present
Chronic low levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines

Question 8

Why is ageing a risk factor of OA?

Answer 8

Cell changes
Cartilage thinning
Advanced glycation end products