A Case of Cervical Chondrocutaneous Branchial Remnant Comprised of Hyaline Cartilage

No abstract available.

Repair of Osteochondral Defects in Rabbit Knee Using Menstrual Blood Stem Cells Encapsulated in Fibrin Glue: A Good Stem Cell Candidate for the Treatment of Osteochondral Defects

BACKGROUND: In recent years, researchers discovered that menstrual blood-derived stem cells (MenSCs) have the potential to differentiate into a wide range of tissues including the chondrogenic lineage. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effect of MenSCs encapsulated in fibrin glue (FG) on healing of osteochondral defect in rabbit model. METHODS: We examined the effectiveness of MenSCs encapsulated in FG in comparison with FG alone in the repair of osteochondral defect (OCD) lesions of rabbit knees after 12 and 24 weeks. RESULTS: Macroscopical evaluation revealed that the effectiveness of MenSCs incorporation with FG is much higher than FG alone in repair of OCD defects. Indeed, histopathological evaluation of FG + MenSCs group at 12 weeks post-transplantation demonstrated that defects were filled with hyaline cartilage-like tissue with proper integration, high content of glycosaminoglycan and the existence of collagen fibers especially collagen type II, as well as by passing time (24 weeks post-transplantation), the most regenerated tissue in FG + MenSCs group was similar to hyaline cartilage with relatively good infill and integration. As the same with the result of 12 weeks post-implantation, the total point of microscopical examination in FG + MenSCs group was higher than other experimental groups, however, no significant difference was detected between groups at 24 weeks (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: In summary, MenSCs as unique stem cell population, is suitable for in vivo repair of OCD defects and promising for the future clinical application.

A Case of Orbital Chondroma

PURPOSE: To report a case of orbital chondroma. CASE SUMMARY: A 15-year-old male presented with an 8-month history of left hypertropia. The best-corrected visual acuity was 20/20 in both eyes. The exophthalmometry showed no exophthalmos, with 13 mm in both eyes. There was a hard palpable mass at the superonasal orbit of the left eye. Orbital computed tomography showed a heterogenous soft tissue shadow at the superonasal orbit of the left eye, and orbital magnetic resonance imaging revealed a 25 × 16 × 20 mm well-defined mass with low signal intensity in the T1-weighted image, high signal intensity in the T2-weighted image, and heterogenous enhancement in the contrast enhanced T1-weighted image. The mass was surgically removed with anterior orbitotomy. A 27 × 17 mm well-capsulated lobular mass was found, and histopathological examination revealed hyaline cartilage and chondrocyte. The mass was diagnosed as a chondroma. CONCLUSIONS: A chondroma is a benign tumor, which usually occurs in long bones and the small bones of the hands and feet. It is very rare in the facial and pelvic bones. The sites of chondroma occurring in the head and neck include the ethmoid sinus and maxilla, but it is extremely rare in the orbit.

Osteochondral Regeneration with a Scaffold-Free Three-Dimensional Construct of Adipose Tissue-Derived Mesenchymal Stromal Cells in Pigs

Osteochondral lesion is a major joint disease in humans. Therefore, this study was designed to investigate the regeneration of articular cartilage and subchondral bone, using three-dimensional constructs of autologous adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stromal cells without any biocompatible scaffolds. Mesenchymal stromal cells were harvested by liposuction from seven pigs, isolated enzymatically, and expanded until construct creation. The pig models had two osteochondral defects (cylindrical defects with a diameter of 5.2 mm and a depth of 5 mm) in one of their patello-femoral grooves. A columnar structure consisting of approximately 770 spheroids of 5 × 10⁴ autologous mesenchymal stromal cells were implanted into one of the defects (implanted defect), while the other defect was not implanted (control). The defects were evaluated pathologically at 6 months (in three pigs) and 12 months (in five pigs) after implantation. At 6 months after surgery, histopathology revealed active endochondral ossification underneath the plump fibrocartilage in the implanted defects, but a deficiency of fibrocartilaginous coverage in the controls. At 12 months after surgery, the fibrocartilage was transforming into hyaline cartilage as thick as the surrounding normal cartilage and the subchondral bone was thickening in the implanted defects. The histological averages of the implanted sites were significantly higher than those in the control sites at both 6 and 12 months after surgery. The implantation of a scaffold-free three-dimensional construct of autologous mesenchymal stromal cells into an osteochondral defect can induce regeneration of hyaline cartilage and subchondral bone structures over a period of 12 months.

Cartogenina associada à microperfuração do osso subcondral na reparação da cartilagem articular em equinos / Kartogenin associated to micro of the subchondral bone in the joint cartilage repair in horses

A reconstituição da cartilagem articular danificada por doenças de desenvolvimento, trauma e osteoartrite tem sido um grande desafio na veterinária. O objetivo do presente estudo foi avaliar o uso da cartogenina, uma molécula capaz de induzir diferenciação de células mesenquimais em condrócitos, associado ou não à técnica de microfratura na reparação de defeitos condrais induzidos na tróclea femoral de equinos. Foram utilizados seis equinos pesando em média (±DP) 342±1,58kg, com idade de 7,2±1,30 anos e escore corporal de 7,1±0,75, os quais foram submetidos à videoartroscopia para indução da lesão condral de 1cm2 na tróclea lateral do fêmur e à realização da técnica de microperfuração do osso subcondral de ambos os joelhos. Foram realizadas quatro aplicações semanais com 20µM de cartogenina intra-articular em um dos joelhos (grupo tratado) e solução de ringer com lactato na articulação contralateral (grupo controle). Os animais foram submetidos a avaliações física, radiográfica, ultrassonográfica, por um período de 60 dias. Não houve qualquer diferença estatística entre as articulações tratadas e as controle. A terapia com cartogenina, segundo protocolo utilizado, não produziu melhora clínica em lesões osteocondrais induzidas e tratadas com microperfurações na tróclea lateral do fêmur em equinos.(AU)

Articular cartilage reconstruction is still a challenge in Veterinary Medicine. The aim was to evaluate the therapeutic effects of kartogenin, a small molecule that promotes chondrocyte differentiation, in the repair of induced chondral defects pretreated with subchondral drilling. Six horses with a mean (± SD) weight of 342 ± 1.58Kg, aging 7.2 ± 1.30 years, and with a mean 7.1 ± 0.75 body score condition were used. In both stifles, a 1cm2 chondral defect was induced in the lateral femoral trochlea followed by treatment with subchondral drilling. Four intra-articular injections with kartogenin (20mM) were performed weekly in one stifle (treated group). The same procedure using saline solution was performed in the contralateral joint (control group). Clinical, radiographic, ultrasound evaluations were performed for a period of 60 days. No statistical differences were detected between groups in any of the studied variables. Although kartogenin has shown to improve articular cartilage repair in laboratory animal models, the same was not observed in this equine model. In conclusion, the kartogenin therapy, according to the used protocol, did not promote any clinical benefit in equine femoral trochlear defects pretreated with subcondral drilling.(AU)

Subungual Extraskeletal Chondroma with Nail Deformity

Extraskeletal chondromas are benign soft tissue tumor of hyaline cartilage. These tumors are rare and the pathogenesis is unclear. They are usually involves the hand or feet. We report the case of extraskeletal chondroma arising from subungual region of the finger with nail deformity and review of the literature.

Avaliações macroscópica e histológica do reparo da cartilagem articular equina tratada com microperfurações do osso subcondral associadas ou não à injeção intra-articular de cartogenina / Macroscopic and histological evaluations of equine joint cartilage repair treated with microperforation of the subchondral bone associated or not with intra-articular kartogenin

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o reparo da cartilagem hialina equina, por meio de análises macroscópica (através de videoartroscopia) e histológica (através de fragmentos de biopsia), em defeitos condrais induzidos na tróclea lateral do fêmur tratados pela técnica de microperfurações subcondral associada ou não com administração intra-articular de cartogenina. Foram utilizados seis equinos pesando em média (±DP) 342±1,58 kg, com a idade aproximada de 7,2±1,30 anos e escore corporal de 7,1±0,75, que foram submetidos a videoartroscopia para indução da lesão condral de 1 cm2 na tróclea lateral do fêmur e realização da técnica de microperfuração do osso subcondral de ambos os joelhos. Foram realizadas quatro aplicações semanais com 20 μM de cartogenina intra-articulares em um dos joelhos (grupo tratado) e solução de ringer com lactato na articulação contralateral (grupo controle). Após o período de 60 dias, foram feitas as avaliações macroscópicas, através de videoartroscopias, e histológicas, através de biopsia. Não foram observadas diferenças significativas nos escores macroscópicos e histológicos para reparação condral entre animais dos grupos tratados e não tratados (P>0,05). De modo geral, a porcentagem média de cartilagem hialina no tecido de reparo (17,5%) foi condizente com a literatura internacional usando outros tipos de perfuração condral. Entretanto, não se observaram diferenças estatísticas entre grupos (P>0,05). A terapia com cartogenina, segundo protocolo utilizado, não produziu melhora do processo cicatricial em lesões condrais induzidas e tratadas com microperfurações na tróclea lateral do fêmur em equinos.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the joint cartilage repair by macroscopic (via arthroscopy) and histological (biopsy fragments) analyses in chondral defects induced into equine femoral trochlea treated by microperforation associated with or without intra-articular administration of kartogenin. Six horses weighing 342±1.58 kg (mean ± SD), aged approximately 7.2±1.30 years and with a body condition score of 7.1±0.75, were used. The horses underwent arthroscopy for induction of 1-cm2 chondral lesions in lateral femoral trochlea immediately treated by microperforation of the subchondral bone of both knees. Four weekly intra-articular injections of kartogenin (20μM) in one knee (treated group) and Ringer lactate solution in the contralateral joint (control group) were performed during the postoperative period. After 60 days, macroscopic evaluations were performed by video-arthroscopy, and biopsy samples of the repair tissue were taken for histopathological healing evaluation. No significant change was observed in macroscopic and histological scores for chondral healing between treated and untreated groups (P>0.05). The overall mean percentage of hyaline cartilage in both groups (17.5%) was consistent with other international studies using other types of chondral microperforation; however, no statistical differences were observed between groups (P>0.05). In conclusion, the therapy with kartogenin, according to the used protocol, did not produce any macroscopic and histological healing improvement in induced chondral lesions treated with microperforations in equine femoral trochlea.

Disc-Type Hyaline Cartilage Reconstruction Using 3D-Cell Sheet Culture of Human Bone Marrow Stromal Cells and Human Costal Chondrocytes and Maintenance of Its Shape and Phenotype after Transplantation

In this study, we developed the disc-type bio-cartilage reconstruction strategies for transplantable hyaline cartilage for reconstructive surgery using 3D-cell sheet culture of human bone marrow stromal cells and human costal chondrocytes. We compared chondrogenesis efficiency between different chondrogenic-induction methods such as micromass culture, pellet culture, and 3D-cell sheet culture. Among them, the 3D-cell sheet culture resulted in the best chondrogenesis with the disc-type bio-cartilage (>12 mm diameter in size) in vitro, but sometimes spontaneous curling and contraction of 3D-cell sheet culture resulted in the formation of bead-type cartilage, which was prevented by type I collagen coating or by culturing on amniotic membrane. Previously, it was reported that tissue-engineered cartilage reconstructed in vitro does not maintain its cartilage phenotype after transplantation but tends to transform to other tissue type such as bone or connective tissue. However, the disc-type bio-cartilage of 3D-cell sheet culture maintained its hyaline cartilage phenotype even after exposure to the osteogenic-induction condition in vitro for 3 weeks or after the transplantation for 4 weeks in mouse subcutaneous. Collectively, the disc-type bio-cartilage with 12 mm diameter can be reproducibly reconstructed by the 3D-cell sheet culture, whose hyaline cartilage phenotype and shape can be maintained under the osteogenic-induction condition as well as after the transplantation. This disc-type bio-cartilage can be proposed for the application to reconstructive surgery and repair of disc-type cartilage such as mandibular cartilage and digits.

Caracterização de condrócitos articulares cultivados em sistema tridimensional in vitro / Characterization of articular chondrocytes cultured in three-dimensional system in vitro

A osteoartrite é uma doença degenerativa da cartilagem articular que afeta, principalmente, idosos a partir dos 60 anos de idade. Sua degeneração é lenta e progressiva, causando dor e decréscimo da qualidade de vida dos pacientes acometidos pela doença. Atualmente, o tratamento da doença é de caráter meramente paliativo, resultando em cirurgia para completa remoção da cápsula articular do joelho e a substituindo por uma prótese. Este estudo avaliou as características dos condrócitos encapsulados por um hidrogel de alginato de sódio, que simula o microambiente original dessas células. Avaliamos a viabilidade dos condrócitos cultivados por 28 dias nesse modelo de cultivo, bem como a presença de proteoglicanos durante análise histológica. Através de microscopia eletrônica de varredura, observamos diferença significativa no microambiente interno do hidrogel e na disposição dos condrócitos, quando cultivados por até 28 dias na gota de alginato de sódio. Analisamos, ainda, a capacidade de deformação da gota de alginato de sódio quando pressionada, à fim de observar o quanto ela suporta até se romper. Nossos dados indicam que o hidrogel de alginato de sódio é um modelo eficaz para o cultivo de condrócitos e nos permite estudar suas características morfohistológicas. Além do mais, observamos o quão promissor é o uso desse biomaterial para a bioengenharia de tecido

Osteoarthritis is a degenerative disease of the articular cartilage that affects mainly elder people from 60 years old. Its degeneration is slow and progressive, causing pain and decreasing quality of life of patients affected by the disease. Currently, the treatment of the disease is merely palliative resulting in surgery for complete removal of the knee articular capsule and substituting it for a prosthesis. This study evaluated the characteristics of chondrocytes encapsulated by a sodium alginate hydrogel, which simulates a unique microenvironment of these cells. We evaluated the viability of chondrocytes cultured for 28 days in this model, as well as the presence of proteoglycan for histological analysis. Through scanning electron microscopy, we observed significant differences in the internal microenvironment of the hydrogel and chondrocytes disposition when cultured for up to 28 days in sodium alginate drop. We also analyzed the deformability of sodium alginate bead when pressed in order to observe how much it supports until it breaks. Our data indicate that sodium alginate hydrogel is an effective model to culture chondrocytes and allows us to study its morpho-histological characteristics. Moreover, we observed that this biomaterial can be very promising for tissue bioengineering

Bilateral Idiopathic Chondrolysis of the Hip in an Adult: A Case Report and Review of the Literature / 대한고관절학회지

Idiopathic chondrolysis of the hip usually develops in adolescents and is a disease characterized by gradual degenerative changes of the hyaline cartilage surrounding the head of the femur. It eventually decreases the hip joint space and causes limitations in the hip joint range of motion due to pain. The authors had experienced an unusual case of bilateral idiopathic chondrolysis of the hip in an 54 year-old male; thus, we report the treatment results and literature reviews in this case report.

Influence of Recombinant Human Bone Morphogenetic Protein-2 on the Remodeling of Subchondral Bone and Cartilage Healing in the Articular Cartilage Defect of the Rabbit / 대한정형외과학회잡지

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effects of recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 (rhBMP-2) after microfracture on the remodeling of subchondral bone and cartilage healing in a model of full-thickness articular cartilage injury in a rabbit. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A full thickness articular cartilage defect of 6x3-mm-size was created in the trochlear groove of the right femur in 24 rabbits. The defect was left empty in six rabbits, and microfracture was done in 18 rabbits. After microfracture, no treatment was done in six rabbits, defect was filled with fibrin glue in six rabbits, and with fibrin glue and rhBMP-2 in six rabbits. The effect of rhBMP-2 after microfracture was evaluated based on histological analysis and real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for analysis of collagen type at 8 weeks after surgery. RESULTS: The score of histological grade scale of six rabbits in which the defect was filled with fibrin glue and rhBMP-2 was better than that of others and real-time PCR also showed a higher amount of collage type 1 and collage type 2 in these six rabbits. CONCLUSION: We consider that fibrin glue and rhBMP-2 after microfracture may accelerate cartilage healing in an articular cartilage defect and maybe helpful in healing the articular cartilage defect into more closely native hyaline cartilage.

Augmentation rhinoplasty with rib cartilage graft

@#<p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>OBJECTIVE:</strong> To investigate the outcome and complications of augmentation rhinoplasty with rib cartilage grafts.<br /><strong>METHODS:</strong><br /><strong>Design:</strong> Retrospective study<br /><strong>Setting:</strong> Tertiary Government Hospital<br /><strong>Subjects:</strong> Patients who underwent dorsal nasal augmentation with autologous rib cartilage grafts between June 2008 and October 2012.<br /><strong>RESULTS:</strong> A total of 12 patients (3 male, 9 female) were included in the study. Mean age was 29 years. Seven were cases of primary simple rhinoplasty with four cases of revision (previously using alloplastic materials) and one case of trauma. Indications for the procedure were all cosmetic. There was no incidence of infection, both in the donor and recipient sites, warping of the graft, graft extrusion, resorption, pneumothorax, chest wall deformity or prolonged edema. Post-operative pain in the donor site was relieved by oral pain medications. No revision surgery was required.<br /><strong>CONCLUSION:</strong> Costal cartilage is a good option for structural support of the nose. In our experience patients have become wary of the complication of allografts and have opted to use autografts. The surgeon's knowledge of the nasal anatomy as well as his or her experience with autologous grafts plays a major role in avoiding post-operative morbidity.</p>

A Case of Giant Skull Base Chondroma

Intracranial chondroma is a rare benign tumor. Here, we present the case of a 29-year-old female who was afflicted with left eye blindness and ptosis. Brain computerized tomography and magnetic resonance imaging revealed the presence of a giant calcified mass accompanied by a solid mass in the middle and posterior fossa. A differential diagnosis regarding chordoma, chondrosarcoma, and other chondroid tumors based on radiologic information was inconclusive. The lesion was resected completely under a microscope using a combined pterional and subtemporal approach. The pathologic report confirmed the diagnosis of chondroma. No evidence of neurological worsening was observed. The tumor had a calcified mass with mature hyaline cartilage surrounded by a thick fibrous capsule. We dissected the periphery of the tumor mass and removed it via aspiration. It was readily distinguished from normal brain parenchymal tissue. The large calcified mass at the center of the tumor had relatively high vascularity, and a high-speed drill and various rongeurs were used to remove the tumor.

A Case of Cartilaginous Choristoma of External Auditory Canal / 대한이비인후과학회지

Cartilaginous choristoma of bony external auditory canal is very rare. Appearing as a horny sha-ped hard mass, cartilaginous choristoma can be found in the medial portion of anterior wall of external auditory canal. Histologically, it consists of adult-type hyaline cartilage without neoplastic features. If cartilaginous choristoma shows growing tendency or ear symptoms, surgical excision would be the treatment of choice. Here, we report a case of cartilaginous choristoma that occurred in the external auditory canal in an 8-year-old boy.

The Importance of a Conchal Bowl Element in the Fabrication of a Three-Dimensional Framework in Total Auricular Reconstruction

BACKGROUND: To construct a sophisticated three-dimensional framework, numerous modifications have been reported in the literature. However, most surgeons have paid little attention to the anatomical configuration of the concha and more to its deepness and hollowness, leading to unsatisfactory outcomes. METHODS: For a configuration of the concha that is definitely anatomical, the author further developed and employed the conchal bowl element, which has been used by several surgeons although the results have not been published elsewhere. The author constructed the conchal bowl element in one of three patterns according to the amount of available cartilages: one block, two-pieces, or a cymba bowl element only. A total of 20 patients underwent auricular reconstruction using a costal cartilage framework between 2009 and 2012. The 8 earliest reconstructions were performed without a conchal bowl element and the latter 12 with a conchal bowl element. The patients were followed up for more than 1 year. The aesthetic results were scored by evaluating characteristics involving the stability of the crus helicis, the conchal definition, and the smoothness of the helical curve. RESULTS: The ears reconstructed early without a conchal bowl element showed a shallow and one or two incompletely separated concha with an obliterated cymba conchal space. They also did not have a realistic or smooth curve of the helix because of an unstable crus helicis. However, ears reconstructed later with the concha bowl element showed a definite crus helicis, deep cymba conchal space, and smooth helical curve. CONCLUSIONS: The construction of the conchal bowl element is simple, not time-consuming procedure. It is suggested that the conchal bowl element must be constructed and attached to the main framework for natural configuration of the reconstructed ear.

Extraskeletal Chondroma of Finger in a Young Woman: A Case Report / 대한골관절종양학회지

Extraskeletal chondroma is a benign soft tissue tumor which is composed of hyaline cartilage but arises from the fibrous stroma rather than from mature cartilaginous or osseous tissue. Extraskeletal chondroma is relatively rare and occurs most frequently in the soft tissue around the joints of hands and feet. We present one case of extraskeletal chondroma in a finger of a young woman.

Lumbar Spinal Chondroma Presenting with Acute Sciatica

A 47-year-old woman visited with lumbago and severe left leg pain that had been presented for 1 week. The patient complained of severe radiating pain on left L3 sensory dermatome area and reported aggravation of leg pain at 20 degrees of hip flexion by straight leg raising test (SLRT). However, there was no motor weakness on neurological examination. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) demonstrated contrast enhancing spinal extradural mass at L2-3 level that was iso-signal intensity (SI) on T1-weighted images (WI), hypo-SI on T2WI. She was not able to walk and sleep due to incapacitating pain. Thus, surgical removal was performed via left partial laminectomy. Postoperatively, the radiating pain was relieved completely. Histopathologic examination revealed that the tumor consisted of chondroma, which had mature hyaline cartilage with nests of benign-appearing cells and calcium deposits in lacunae.

Reparação de defeitos osteocondrais de cães com implante de cultura de condrócitos homólogos e membrana biossintética de celulose: avaliação clínica, ultrassonográfica e macroscópica / The repair of osteochondral defects in dogs with homologous articular chondrocytes and biosynthetic cellulose membrane: clinical, ultrasound and macroscopic evaluation

Avaliou-se o implante de condrócitos homólogos em lesões osteocondrais, utilizando a membrana biossintética à base de celulose (MBC) como revestimento. Dez cães adultos e clinicamente sadios foram submetidos à artrotomia das articulações fêmoro-tíbio-patelares. Defeitos de quatro milímetros de diâmetro por quatro milímetros de profundidade foram induzidos na tróclea femoral de ambos os membros. A MBC foi aplicada na base e superfície das lesões. Os defeitos do membro direito foram preenchidos com condrócitos homólogos cultivados e formaram o grupo tratado (GT); e os defeitos do membro esquerdo, sem implante celular, formaram o grupo controle (GC). Os animais foram avaliados clínica e ultrassonograficamente aos 30 e 60 dias. A evolução pós-operatória dos cães foi analisada com especial interesse nos processos de reparação da lesão, por meio de macroscopia. Não houve diferença clínica e ultrassonográfica entre os grupos. Entretanto, à macroscopia, ocorreu maior prevalência de formação de tecido cicatricial esbranquiçado no GT. O tecido neoformado apresentou melhor qualidade associado ao implante homólogo de condrócitos, mas não promoveu reparação por cartilagem hialina.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the repair of deep cartilaginous defects made in the femoral trochlear sulcus of dogs, using the cellulose biosynthetic membrane (CBM) as coating. Ten healthy adult dogs without locomotor disorders were used. All animals were submitted to arthrotomy of stifle joints and defects with four millimeters diameter x four millimeters deep were done in the femoral trochlear sulcus of both limbs. CBM was applied in the lesion's base and surface of all limbs. In the treated group (TG), the defects of the right limb were filled with cultivated homologous chondrocytes, and in control group (CG), the defects of the left limb were filled without cellular implant. The animals were evaluated by physical examination and ultrasound at 30 and 60 days. The postoperative follow up of the dogs was done by macroscopy with special interest in the healing process of the osteochondral defect. No clinical and ultrasonographic differences were observed in both groups. In the macroscopic evaluation higher prevalence of whitish scar tissue formation was noted in TG, but without statistical difference. The neoformed tissue showed slightly higher quality in TG, but without promoting repair by the hyaline cartilage.

Imobilização do tornozelo de ratos: estudo histológico da extremidade distal da tíbia / Immobilization of rats ankle: histological study of distal extremity of the tibia

As articulações sinoviais têm como função a realização demovimentos e, quando permanecem imobilizadas, sua integridadefi ca prejudicada, mesmo em diferentes períodos de imobilização. Oobjetivo deste estudo foi analisar o comportamento das estruturasosteocartilaginosas da extremidade distal da tíbia após a imobilizaçãodo tornozelo de ratos. Para isso, utilizou-se 15 ratos Wistar, que foramdivididos em 3 grupos, com 5 animais cada, sendo submetidosa imobilização por 14, 21 e 45 dias. Os controles dos experimentosforam obtidos através dos membros direitos dos respectivos animais.Estes foram eutanasiados e seus tornozelos foram submetidos àrotina histológica. A seguir procedeu-se a documentação em fotomicroscopiae as imagens foram analisadas de forma descritiva. Osresultados revelaram redução da massa óssea subcondral e aumentodos espaços trabeculares em todos os períodos de imobilização. Nosgrupos experimentais de 21 e 45 dias houve diminuição da espessuradas cartilagens articular e epifi sária. Notou-se ainda no experimentode 45 dias um decréscimo no número de células cartilaginosas,formação de grupos isógenos e avanço do osso subcondral para acartilagem articular. Com base nesses resultados, conclui-se que aimobilização por diferentes períodos provoca alterações estruturaisosteocartilaginosas da extremidade distal da tíbia...

Th e synovial joints have as function to perform movements and,when immobilized, their integrity gets impaired, even in diff erentperiods of immobilization. Th us, the main objective of this studywas to analyze the behavior of osteochondral structures of distalextremity of tibia after immobilization of rats’ ankle. 15 Wistarrats were used on the study, which were divided into three groups,each one with fi ve rats, being immobilized for 14, 21 and 45 days.Th e controlled experiments were obtained through the right sidelimbs of the respective animals, which were euthanized and theirankles underwent histological routine. Later, the documentationby photomicrograph was carried out and the images analyzed in adescriptive approach. Results revealed a reduction in subchondralbone mass and an increase of trabecular spaces in all periods ofimmobilization. On the 21 and 45-day experimental groups therewas a reduction of the joint and epiphyseal cartilage. Moreover, onthe 45-day experimental group, there was a decrease on the numberof cartilage cells, formation of isogenous groups and progress of thesubchondral bone to the articular cartilage. Based on the results, weconclude that immobilization in diff erent periods, causes alterationsin the osteochondral structures of distal extremity of the tibia...