Osteoarthritis of the hip: are degenerative tears of the acetabular labrum predictable from features on hip radiographs?

BACKGROUND: A common feature of hip arthritis is the presence of labra tears. Recent literature suggests against the use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in patients aged >45 years for the assessment of hip pain related to arthritis. PURPOSE: To determine if radiographic features of osteoarthritis detectable on routine hip radiographs are accurate and reliable surrogate markers of degenerative acetabular labral tears identified on MR arthrography (MRA) and corroborated during arthroscopy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective study involving 86 symptomatic patients (hip pain) with radiologic work-up included MRA and pelvic or hip radiographs that underwent hip arthroscopy within three months. Imaging characteristics assessed on hip radiographs include measurements of superior acetabular, femoral head osteophyte, cortical thickness of the femoral shaft, and minimum joint space as well as presence of subchondral sclerosis of the femoral head and acetabulum, femoral shaft buttressing, and grade of arthritis. Presence of a labral tear was determined by consensus between three readers as well as by surgical correlation. The Pearson's chi-squared and Fisher's exact tests were used to compare presence of labral tears with each radiographic feature. RESULTS: Seventy-one patients (82.6%) had labral tears: 49 (69%) women and 22 (31%) men. Receiver operating characteristic analysis showed statistical significance (P<0.05) between presence of a labral tear and acetabular and femoral head osteophyte sizes but failed to demonstrate any significance regarding acetabular subchondral sclerosis, cortical thickness, buttressing, or minimum joint space. CONCLUSIONS: Radiographic markers such as the acetabular and femoral head osteophyte sizes demonstrated statistical significance with the presence of labral tears.

Do Not Judge an Ossicle by Its Size: Type 1 Ossicles Associated With Posterior Tibial Tendon Dysfunction.

INTRODUCTION: Patients with type II navicular ossicles have traditionally been considered to be symptomatic, whereas patients with type I and III bones are considered asymptomatic without additional relevant imaging findings. The main objective of this study is to investigate the association of type I os naviculare with clinical symptomology and magnetic resonance imaging findings in comparison to types II and III ossicles. METHODS: Three hundred nine subjects with accessory navicular bone types were identified, and their associations with focal navicular pain, pes planus alignment, ossicle or proximal navicular bone marrow edema pattern presence (BMEP), and posterior tibial tendon (PTT) sheath fluid distension were assessed. Fisher's exact test was used for categorical data and unpaired t tests for continuous data. Intraobserver and interobserver agreement was calculated. RESULTS: Overall, 28% (85/309) of type I, 57% (176/309) of type II, and 16% (48/309) of type III accessory bones had focal navicular pain (type I vs type II, P = 0.17; type III vs type II, P = 0.001). Thirty-two percent of type I, 38% type II, and 8% type III accessory bones had pes planus (type I vs II, P = 0.3; type III vs type II, P = 0.001). Nine percent of type I, 48% of type II, and 6% of type III accessory bones had BMEP (type I vs II, P < 0.0001; type III vs type II, P = 0.001). Thirty-three percent of type I, 42% of type II, and 6% of type III accessory bones had PTT intrasheath fluid (type I vs II, P = 0.16; type III vs type II, P = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Symptomatic type I navicular ossicle patients demonstrate an increased tendency to present with early findings of PTT dysfunction and morphologic pes planus to a greater degree than previously recognized. LEVEL OF CLINICAL EVIDENCE: 3.

Tenosynovial fluid as an indication of early posterior tibial tendon dysfunction in patients with normal tendon appearance.

OBJECTIVE: Our primary aim was to quantify the posterior tibial tendon (PTT) sheath fluid volume in individuals with the clinical diagnosis of stage 1 posterior tibial tendon dysfunction (PTTD) and no MRI-detectable intra-substance tendon pathology and compare them with patients with other causes of medial ankle pain, also without MRI-detectable intra-substance PTT pathology and with normal controls. We also wanted to determine if there is a fluid measurement that correlates with the clinical diagnosis of PTTD. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 326 individuals with medial ankle pain and no intra-substance PTT pathology were studied. Group 1 included 48 patients with a clinical diagnosis of stage 1 PTT dysfunction, group 2 comprised 278 patients with other causes of medial ankle pain, and a third control group consisted of 56 patients without any medial ankle pain. MRI-based geometric measurements included PTT fluid volume, maximum cross-sectional fluid area, and fluid width. Fluid measurements were compared between groups and measurement reliability was tested. RESULTS: Group 1 showed greater PTT fluid volume, area, and width compared with groups 2 (other causes of medial ankle pain) and 3 (asymptomatic controls) (all p values < 0.001). A 9-mm threshold maximum fluid width was associated with PTTD (sensitivity 84%, specificity 85%). Measurements were reliable (all p values < 0.03) among three observers blinded to the gold standard. CONCLUSION: Patients with stage 1 PTT dysfunction displayed greater volumes of tendon-sheath fluid than those with other causes of medial ankle pain and compared with asymptomatic controls. A threshold maximum fluid width greater than or equal to 9 mm distinguishes those with PTTD. An association between tendon sheath fluid distension and the clinical diagnosis of stage 1 posterior tibial tendon disease in the setting of no MRI-detectable intra-substance tendon pathology may allow for differentiation of medial ankle pain from other sources and may allow for early intervention aimed at preventing progressive PTTD. The level of evidence was prognostic (level III).

Anatomic Relationship and Imaging Relevance of the Perforating Branches of the Peroneal Vessels to the Anterior Talofibular Ligament.

BACKGROUND: Patients frequently present to the emergency department after ankle injuries, and the anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL) is commonly damaged. Musculoskeletal ultrasound (US) can help to make a rapid diagnosis. There is a paucity of literature describing techniques to image the ATFL with US, and the complex ankle anatomy and potential pitfalls make imaging challenging. OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to estimate prevalence of perforating branches (PBs) of the peroneal vessels and determine their most frequent position relative to the ATFL. If these vessels are located in a predictable position at the level of the ATFL, they may serve as a sonographic landmark for the correct imaging plane. METHODS: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans of 105 ankles were reviewed to determine the PB prevalence and location at the ATFL. Inter-observer agreement was determined. Additionally, 16 ankles from 8 asymptomatic subjects were scanned using a high-frequency linear transducer and PB prevalence and location were noted. RESULTS: By MRI, PBs were detected in 85% of the ankles and 93% of ankles after consensus. In 73% of cases with agreed PB visualization, vessels assumed a medial position with respect to the ATFL. By US, PBs could be seen in 100% of cases, with the arterial PB seen in 81% of cases and assuming a medial position in 88%. CONCLUSIONS: PBs are often present, have a predictable course, and may be useful to help optimize US probe positioning when assessing the ATFL.

Glenoid Version Assessment When the CT Field of View Does Not Permit the Friedman Method: The Robertson Method.

Background: To improve spatial resolution, current clinical shoulder cross-sectional imaging studies reduce the field of view of the shoulder, excluding the medial scapula border and preventing glenoid version measurement according to the Friedman method. Purpose: To evaluate a method to accurately and reliably measure glenoid version on cross-sectional shoulder images when the medial scapula border is not included in the field of view, and to establish measurements equivalent to the Friedman method. Study Design: Controlled laboratory study. Methods: Sixty-five scapulae underwent computed tomography (CT) scanning with an optimal shoulder CT-positioning protocol. Glenoid version was measured on CT images of the full scapula using the Friedman method. We developed a measurement method (named the Robertson method) based on the glenoid vault version from partial scapula images, with a correction angle subtracted from the articular-surface-glenoid vault measurement. Comparison with the Friedman method defined the accuracy of the Robertson method. Three observers tested inter- and intraobserver reliability of the Robertson method. Accuracy was statistically evaluated with t tests and reliability with the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Results: The statistical distribution of glenoid version was similar to published data,-0.5° ± 3° [mean ± SD]. The initial measurement using the Robertson method resulted in a more retroverted angle compared with the Friedman method, and a correction angle of 7° was then applied. After this adjustment, the difference between the 2 methods was nonsignificant (0.1° ± 4°; P > .65). Reliability of the Robertson method was excellent, as the interrater ICC was 0.77, the standard error of measurement (SEM) was 1.1° with P < .001. The intrarater ICC ranged between 0.84 and 0.92, the SEM ranged between 0.9° and 1.2° with P < .01. Conclusion: A validated glenoid version measurement method is now available for current clinical shoulder CT protocols that reliably create Friedman-equivalent values. Clinical Relevance: Friedman-equivalent values may be made from common clinical CTs of the shoulder and compared with prior and future Friedman measurements of the scapula.

Clinical and radiographic evaluation of a monoblock tibial component.

Modular tibial components are the clinical standard in total knee arthroplasty despite the lack of evidence of improved function and longevity when compared with monoblock implants. This study describes the minimum 5-year outcomes for 125 total knee arthroplasties performed with monoblock tibial components in 101 patients. No patients were lost to follow-up. Average Knee Society Score was 87.1 at a mean follow-up of 5.2 years. Clinical and radiographic follow-up showed all components to be stable, no implants at risk of loosening, no observable osteolysis, and no observed change in bone density. Survivorship free of revision for tibial component loosening was 100% at 5 years. These results show excellent midterm durability of a partially cemented porous tantalum monoblock implant with uncemented pegs.

Volumetric evaluation of lumbar epidural fat distribution in epidural lipomatosis and back pain in patients who are obese: introducing a novel technique (Fat Finder algorithm).

Objective: Spinal epidural lipomatosis (EL) represents an excessive deposition of unencapsulated adipose tissue in the spinal canal that can result in chronic back pain in patients who are obese with and without diabetes. We aim to calculate the total volumetric epidural fat on lumbar spine MRI in a predominately obese population and correlate total epidural fat to lower back pain (LBP) and body mass index (BMI). Research design and methods: We developed a program (Fat Finder) to quantify volumetric distribution of epidural fat throughout the lumbar spine. Eleven patients with LBP were imaged using two MRI protocols: parallel axial slices and conventional clinical protocol. The distribution of epidural fat per level was analyzed and normalized to the spinal canal size. Results: Our sample had an average age of 59.9 years and BMI of 31.57 kg/m2. EL subgroup consisted of seven patients. The L2-L5 total fat volume was 3477.6 mm3 (1431.1-5595.9) in the EL group versus 1783.8 mm3 (815.0-2717.5) in the age-similar non-EL group. A higher percentage of fat volume in the canal was associated with higher LBP scores. The fat percentage was 32.2% among patients with EL versus 15.4% for age-similar non-EL with LBP score of 6.1 and 4.0, respectively. Conclusions: The Fat Finder is a novel volumetric method to quantify epidural lumbar spinal fat. The epidural fat favors the lower spinal segment with direct proportionality between the fat volume and LBP score, independent of BMI.

Knee MRI Primary Care Ordering Practices for Nontraumatic Knee Pain: Compliance With ACR Appropriateness Criteria and Its Effect on Clinical Management.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the appropriateness of MRI ordering practices and their effect on clinical management for nontraumatic knee pain at the primary care clinics of a large public urban hospital. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In all, 196 consecutive MRIs for nontraumatic knee pain ordered from primary care clinics in a large public urban hospital over an 18-month period were studied. ACR Appropriateness Criteria (AC) scores for nontraumatic knee pain were retrospectively calculated from medical record reviews. The record was also reviewed to assess whether knee MRI changed clinical management. Knee osteoarthritis grading was performed. Tests were performed for differences in age, body mass index (BMI), gender, and ethnicity among appropriate and inappropriate MRIs. RESULTS: Of the MRIs, 57% (108 knees) had "usually appropriate" (ie, 7-9) and 43% (8 knees) had "usually not appropriate" (ie, 1-3) AC scores (P > .1). Clinical management was changed in 26% of knees with "usually appropriate" and 20% of knees with "usually inappropriate" scores (P < .05), and 70% of the knees with "usually appropriate" and 61% of the knee with "usually not appropriate" scores had moderate to severe osteoarthritis. Age, BMI, gender, and ethnicity had no significant effect on AC scores. CONCLUSION: In patients referred from primary care for MRI for nontraumatic knee pain, adherence to AC was low. Additional focus on reducing "appropriate" studies that do not impact clinical management (eg, cases with radiographically evident moderate to severe osteoarthritis) is also warranted.

Torsional strength estimates of femoral diaphyses with endosteal lytic lesions: dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry study.

Pathologic fracture is a significant problem for individuals with metastatic bone disease. Current guidelines for prophylactic internal fixation are neither reliable nor easily applied. The purpose of this study was to validate dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) as an accurate method for estimating torsional bone strength of diaphyseal bone with endosteal lytic lesions. Endosteal lesions of varying sizes were simulated in the diaphyses of 12 adult cadaveric femurs. Unaltered contralateral femurs served as matched controls. Machined lesions ranged from 3 to 6.5 cm in length, 1 to 3 cm in width, 15 to 48 cm(2) in elliptical area, with 10% to 100% removal of the cortical thickness. Morphology and density data obtained from DXA images were used to estimate torsional strength. All femora were mechanically tested to failure in torsion. Physically measured torsional strength was not significantly correlated to lesion elliptical area (r = 0.542, p > 0.05) or percentage cortical thickness removed (r = 0.257, p > 0.05). Measured torsional strength was significantly correlated to DXA-based torsional strength estimates (r = 0.855, p < 0.01). Lesion size alone did not correlate with the strength of bones with simulated endosteal lytic lesions. In contrast, calculations based on DXA (morphology, density) did correlate with torsional strength. This is the first step in the development of a DXA-based tool for objectively estimating bone strength in the presence of endosteal lytic lesions.

Machine learning based analytics of micro-MRI trabecular bone microarchitecture and texture in type 1 Gaucher disease.

Type 1 Gaucher disease (GD) is an autosomal recessive lysosomal storage disease, affecting bone metabolism, structure and strength. Current bone assessment methods are not ideal. Semi-quantitative MRI scoring is unreliable, not standardized, and only evaluates bone marrow. DXA BMD is also used but is a limited predictor of bone fragility/fracture risk. Our purpose was to measure trabecular bone microarchitecture, as a biomarker of bone disease severity, in type 1 GD individuals with different GD genotypes and to apply machine learning based analytics to discriminate between GD patients and healthy individuals. Micro-MR imaging of the distal radius was performed on 20 type 1 GD patients and 10 healthy controls (HC). Fifteen stereological and textural measures (STM) were calculated from the MR images. General linear models demonstrated significant differences between GD and HC, and GD genotypes. Stereological measures, main contributors to the first two principal components (PCs), explained ~50% of data variation and were significantly different between males and females. Subsequent PCs textural measures were significantly different between GD patients and HC individuals. Textural measures also significantly differed between GD genotypes, and distinguished between GD patients with normal and pathologic DXA scores. PCA and SVM predictive analyses discriminated between GD and HC with maximum accuracy of 73% and area under ROC curve of 0.79. Trabecular STM differences can be quantified between GD patients and HC, and GD sub-types using micro-MRI and machine learning based analytics. Work is underway to expand this approach to evaluate GD disease burden and treatment efficacy.

Geometric analysis of selected press fit prosthetic systems for proximal humeral replacement.

The ability of a prosthetic system to replicate a wide range of normal anatomy appears dependent in part to its capacity to produce variable prosthetic geometries. Several modern designs have recently been developed in order to provide multiple prosthetic options. The purpose of this study was to compare the geometry of select press fit prosthetic systems in terms of their ability to match normal three-dimensional geometry of the proximal humerus. The anatomy of 60 humeral specimens from 30 cadavers known from CT data and computer-aided design (CAD) analysis was compared to a 1996 database of four conventional shoulder prosthetic systems (fixed inclination angle, one medial-lateral offset position per head) and one so-called anatomic system (variable inclination angles, multiple head offset positions). The prosthetic system with greatest geometric options allowed for a significantly better replication of the anatomy. Average displacement of the center of rotation was 2.1 mm compared to 9.7 mm for the other systems combined. Reduction in surface arc was 12 degrees compared to 32 degrees. The most problematic feature of conventional prosthetic systems in terms of replicating normal humeral anatomy is the gap created by the prosthetic collar and Morse taper.

Structural changes in the forefoot of individuals with diabetes and a prior plantar ulcer.

BACKGROUND: Plantar ulcers produced by diabetic foot disease are devastating and costly. Better understanding of the ulcer-producing process is important to improve detection of feet that are at risk and to improve intervention. We identified and quantified soft-tissue and osseous structural changes in the forefoot of diabetic patients with a prior plantar ulcer. METHODS: Thirty-two individuals with a mean age (and standard deviation) of 57 +/- 11 years were studied; sixteen had diabetes (of a mean of 20 +/- 11 years' duration), peripheral neuropathy, and a prior plantar ulcer, and sixteen were matched controls. Computed tomography was used to evaluate forefoot structure, including the plantar soft-tissue (muscle) density, soft-tissue thickness beneath the metatarsal heads, metatarsophalangeal joint angle, metatarsal bone density, and metatarsophalangeal joint arthropathy. RESULTS: Plantar soft-tissue (muscle) density was lower in the individuals with diabetes (mean, 1 HU [Hounsfield unit]) than it was in the controls (mean, 18 HU). There was no difference in the soft-tissue thickness beneath the metatarsal heads (mean, 10 mm) between the individuals with diabetes and the controls, but the soft-tissue thickness decreased with age. The individuals with diabetes had greater extension deformity of the first, second, and third metatarsophalangeal joints and greater arthropathy of the second, third, and fourth metatarsophalangeal joints. There were no significant differences in metatarsal bone density between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: There were significant differences between the forefeet of individuals with diabetes and a previous plantar ulcer and those of controls: plantar muscle density was decreased, and metatarsophalangeal joint extension and arthropathy were increased. Interestingly, the soft-tissue thickness under the metatarsal heads in the controls was not greater than that in the diabetic patients. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: This study demonstrated structural differences between the forefeet of patients with diabetes and a previous ulcer and those of normal age-matched controls. The information can serve to guide new interventions to prevent or treat foot ulcerations in this patient population.

Structure modeling of the glenoid: Relevance to shoulder arthroplasty.

We applied shape modeling and principal component analysis (PCA) to discover glenoid bone structural relationships relevant to improving glenoid prosthesis features, fixation, and instrumentation. Knowledge of external bone morphology guides prosthesis shape and positioning, while internal bone morphology and bone density influence fixation. CT-based modeling defined nonarthritic glenoid subchondral bone surface and internal structure. First and second principal shape components were related to size and density. Reproducible structural parameters and glenoid feature relationships were discovered. Subchondral bone surface was approximated by a circle inferiorly and a triangle superiorly with the circle's center at a reproducible point along a superior-inferior line. Glenoid vault's maximum depth was at the circle's center, and the highest bone density was in posterior glenoid. Glenoid subchondral bone surface version varied from superior to inferior, but not by sex or side. Male subchondral bone surfaces were larger and more retroverted. Even if subchondral bone surfaces are deformed by arthritis, glenoid morphology can be identified by extra-articular landmarks, permitting location of the glenoid center and scapular orientation (glenoid version). Knowledge obtained from this study directs design of novel prosthesis features and instrumentation for use without pre-op CT or computer aided surgery.

Effect of glenoid prosthesis design on glenoid bone remodeling: adaptive finite element based simulation.

Glenoid prosthesis loosening is the most common cause for revision total shoulder arthroplasty. Improved glenoid prosthesis design requires looking beyond initial post-implantation static stress analyses. Adaptive bone remodeling simulations based on Wolff's law are needed for predicting long-term glenoid prosthesis results. This study demonstrates the capability of predicting glenoid bone remodeling produced by changing prosthesis design features. Twelve glenoid prostheses were designed to fit each of six donor human glenoids, using combinations of three peg types and four backing-peg material combinations (polyethylene and or metal). The twelve FE prosthesis models were individually combined, simulating surgical implantation, with the glenoid models. Remodeling simulations, using a validated adaptive bone remodeling simulation, commenced with homogeneous glenoid bone density. To produce bone remodeling, center, posterior-offset, and anterior-offset physiologic loads were consecutively applied to the bone-prosthesis FE models for 300 iterations. Upon completion, region-specific mean predicted bone apparent densities were compared between bone-prosthesis and intact glenoid FE models. Metal fixations significantly increased proximal-center bone density. Polyethylene fixations resulted in bone density approximately equal to intact. Two angled polyethylene peg designs with longer-anterior and shorter-posterior pegs, reflecting natural glenoid shape, best maintained mid and distal glenoid bone density. While these initial results were not validated, they demonstrate the capability and potential of adaptive glenoid bone remodeling simulation. We expect FE glenoid bone remodeling simulations to become powerful and robust tools in the design and evaluation of glenoid prostheses.

Adaptive glenoid bone remodeling simulation.

Glenoid prosthesis loosening is the most common cause for revision total shoulder arthroplasty. Stress-induced bone remodeling may compromise long-term prosthesis fixation and significantly contribute to loosening. Realistic, robust analysis of bone-prosthesis constructs need to look beyond initial post-implantation mechanics provided by static finite element (FE) simulation. Adaptive bone remodeling simulations based on Wolff's law are needed for evaluating long-term glenoid prostheses fixation. The purpose of this study was to take a first step towards this goal and create and validate two-dimensional FE simulations, using the intact glenoid, for computing subject-specific adaptive glenoid remodeling. Two-dimensional glenoid FE models were created from scapulae computed tomography images. Two distinct processes, "element" and "node" simulations, used the forward-Euler method to compute bone remodeling. Initial bone density was homogeneous. Center and offset load combinations were iteratively applied. To validate the simulations we performed location-specific statistical comparisons between predicted and actual bone density, load combinations, and "element" and "node" processes. Visually and quantitatively "element" simulations produced better results (p>0.22), and correlation coefficients ranged 0.51-0.69 (p<0.001). Having met this initial work's goals, we expect subject-specific FE glenoid bone remodeling simulations together with static FE stress analyses to be effective tools for designing and evaluating glenoid prostheses.

Bone densitometry within titanium lumbar interbody fusion cages: a computed tomography feasibility study.

STUDY DESIGN: The use of lumbar fusion cages to augment interbody arthrodesis has become popular. Previous studies have shown that titanium cages may obscure information within and around the cage, confounding assessments of fusion. Densitometry within cages, if possible, could be an important outcome variable for comparing different cage augmented fusion treatments. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this feasibility study was to (1) validate CT-based (computer tomography-based) density evaluations within titanium cages in a phantom model, and (2) demonstrate that intrametal cage lucencies can be produced by CT reconstruction artifacts and do not necessarily represent bone fragmentation or fibrous and cartilaginous tissue. METHODS: An anthropomorphic lumbar spine phantom was used. Dual titanium cages were inserted into 6 anterior-middle column replicas, and the cages were filled with 10, 100, or 400 mg/cc hydoxyapatiite equivalent material. The column replicas were composed of either fibrous/cartilaginous tissue equivalent material or trabecular bone equivalent material. Column replicas were placed within the phantom and imaged with CT. Direct axial and reformatted sagittal and coronal images were evaluated for artifact. Region of interest analysis was performed for intracage density. RESULTS: Intracage CT values calculated from axial, sagittal, and coronal images were directly related to the true CT values of the materials (r = 0.99, P < 0.0001). CT was used to distinguish between fibrous tissue and bone within cages. CT values within cages overestimated the intracage materials' true values (paired t test, P < 0.001). Intracage CT values were correctable and could be converted to bone mineral content. Intracage CT values were not affected by adjacent anterior-middle column material differences (fibrous/cartilaginous tissue vs. trabecular bone) (paired t test, P > 0.05). Lucent streaking within and adjacent to cages was similar to clinical images. CONCLUSION: In this phantom-based study, densitometry was performed within titanium cages, even in the presence of CT artifact. These results support further pursuit of this potential assessment tool.

Radiographic and MR imaging of the athletic hip.

Imaging of the athletic hip has changed significantly over the past 10 years to address clinical concerns of intra-articular pathology and femoroacetabular impingement. Currently, high-resolution direct MR arthrography of the hip provides the best means for evaluating intra-articular pathology. However, radiography remains important for the diagnosis of subtle bony irregularities associated with femoroacetabular impingement. Therefore, a comprehensive imaging strategy requires conventional radiographs and MRI to evaluate intra- and extra-articular sources of pain. Because of newer surgical techniques, MR interpretations should provide description of labral tears and assessment of cartilage defects, as well as, capsule/iliofemoral ligament injury, femoroacetabular impingement, and tears of the ligamentum teres to aid preoperative planning and help provide prognostic information.

A slowly progressive and reproducible animal model of intervertebral disc degeneration characterized by MRI, X-ray, and histology.

STUDY DESIGN: The progression of intervertebral disc degeneration following anterolateral "stab" of adult rabbit lumbar discs by 16-gauge hypodermic needle to a limited (5-mm) depth was studied for up to 24 weeks using magnetic resonance imaging, radiograph, and histologic outcome measures. OBJECTIVES: To develop a slowly progressive, reproducible rabbit model of intervertebral disc degeneration suitable for studying pathogenesis and pathophysiology of intervertebral disc degeneration and testing safety and efficacy of novel approaches to the treatment of intervertebral disc degeneration (e.g., growth factors, gene therapy, cell therapy, and tissue engineering). SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Numerous animal models of intervertebral disc degeneration have been proposed in the literature, each with attendant advantages and disadvantages. The classic "stab model," involving full-thickness stab of anterior anulus fibrosus of adult rabbit lumbar discs by a number 11 scalpel blade, appears to produce changes in certain biochemical and histologic outcome measures that are similar to changes seen in human intervertebral disc degeneration. However, the immediate herniation of nucleus pulposus on full-thickness stab renders this model less suitable for 1) studying effects of less precipitous changes in nucleus pulposus and anulus fibrosus that may be important in the onset and progression of intervertebral disc degeneration and 2) testing novel therapeutic approaches that target the processes of early intervertebral disc degeneration. METHODS: The L2-L3, L3-L4, and L4-L5 lumbar intervertebral discs of 18 skeletally mature female New Zealand White rabbits were stabbed by 16-gauge hypodermic needle to a depth of 5 mm in the left anterolateral anulus fibrosus. Serial magnetic resonance imaging scans of the stabbed discs and intact L1-L2 and L5-L6 control discs were performed at 3, 6, 12, and 24 weeks post surgery and compared with preoperative magnetic resonance images. Supplemental radiograph and histologic analyses were performed. RESULTS: The stabbed discs exhibited a progressive decrease in "magnetic resonance imaging index" (the product of nucleus pulposus area and signal intensity from T2-weighted midsagittal plane images) starting at 3 weeks post stab and continuing through 24 weeks, with no evidence of spontaneous recovery or reversal of magnetic resonance imaging changes. Radiograph findings included early osteophyte formation by 6 weeks post stab and extensive, bridging osteophytes by 24 weeks. Histologic analysis revealed progressive loss of notochordal cells from the nucleus pulposus, filling of the nucleus pulposus space with fibrocartilage, and derangement of anulus fibrosus. CONCLUSIONS: Stabbing the anterolateral anulus fibrosus of adult rabbit lumbar discs with a 16-gauge hypodermic needle to a limited (5-mm) depth results in a number of slowly progressive and reproducible magnetic resonance imaging, radiograph, and histologic changes over 24 weeks that show a similarity to changes seen in human intervertebral disc degeneration. This model would appear suitable for studying pathogenesis and pathophysiology of intervertebral disc degeneration and testing safety and efficacy of novel treatments of intervertebral disc degeneration.