Advances in the Canine Cranial Cruciate Ligament, 2nd edition

Biomechanics of the Normal and Cranial Cruciate Ligament-Deficient Stifle 43

HEALTHY CARTILAGE TOLERATES

HIGH TO LOW PHYSIOLOGIC LOAD

MECHANICAL

TRIGGER

Loading shifts or

BIOLOGIC

TRIGGER

Metabolic or

increasesg enzymaticen matic

changes

FAILURE OF ADAPTATION OF THE

CARTILAGE

Chondrocyte death

Collagen breakage / fibrillation

Loss of macromolecules

INITIATION OF OA

DEGENERATIVE CARTILAGE

Unable to tolerate physiologic loads

HIGH LOAD LOW LOAD

RAPID

PROGRESSION

SLOW

PROGRESSION

Figure 5.3 Diagram illustrating the pathomechanics theory of osteoarthritis (OA) proposed by Andriacchi. This theory
suggests that the mechanical environment of the stifle influences the initiation and progression of stifle osteoarthritis. A
healthy stifle can tolerate increased loads on cartilage without developing osteoarthritis. In contrast, a joint with
abnormal kinematics and contact pressure (i.e. shift of contact areas) responds to high loads with progression of
osteoarthritis. Therefore, decreasing load on degenerated cartilage may decrease progression of osteoarthritis. Notice that
biological as well as mechanical factors can act as the trigger for osteoarthritis.

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