Morphological Study: Ultrastructural Aspects of Articular Cartilage and Subchondral Bone in Patients Affected by Post‐Traumatic Shoulder Instability. Issue 7 (27th January 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Baudi, Paolo; Catani, Fabio; Rebuzzi, Manuela; Ferretti, Marzia; Smargiassi, Alberto; Campochiaro, Gabriele; Serafini, Fabio; Palumbo, Carla
• Is Part Of: Anatomical record. Volume 300:Issue 7(2017)
• Page Start: 1208
• Page End: 1218
• Publication Date: 2017-01-27
• Subjects: shoulder instability -- osteoarthritis -- chondrocytes -- osteocytes -- ultrastructure; Anatomy -- Periodicals; Evolution (Biology) -- Periodicals; Morphology -- Periodicals; 571.3
• DOI: 10.1002/ar.23529
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1932-8486

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Post‐traumatic shoulder instability is a frequent condition in active population, representing one of most disabling pathologies, due to altered balance involving joints. No data are so far available on early ultrastructural osteo‐chondral damages, associated with the onset of invalidating pathologies, like osteoarthritis‐OA. Biopsies of glenoid articular cartilage and sub‐chondral bone were taken from 10 adult patients underwent arthroscopic stabilization. Observations were performed under Transmission Electron Microscopy‐TEM in tangential, arcuate and radial layers of the articular cartilage and in the sub‐chondral bone. In tangential and arcuate layers chondrocytes display normal and very well preserved ultrastructure, probably due to the synovial liquid supply; otherwise, throughout the radial layer (un‐calcified and calcified) chondrocytes show various degrees of degeneration; occasionally, in the radial layer evidences of apoptosis/autophagy were also observed. Concerning sub‐chondral bone, osteocytes next to the calcified cartilage also show signs of degeneration, while osteocytes farther from the osteo‐chondral border display normal ultrastructure, probably due to the bone vascular supply. The ultrastructural features of the osteo‐chondral complex are not age‐dependent. This study represents the first complete ultrastructural investigation of the articular osteo‐chondral complex in shoulder instability, evaluating the state of preservation/viability of both chondrocytes and osteocytes throughout the successive layers of articular cartilage and sub‐chondral bone. Preliminary observations here collected represent the morphological basis for further deepening of pathogenesis related to shoulder instability, enhancing the relationship between cell shape and microenvironment; in particular, they could be useful in understanding if the early surgical treatment in shoulder instability could avoid the onset of OA. Anat Rec, 300:1208–1218, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.