Chondral defects in animal models - Effects of selected repair procedures in canines

The defect made to the level of the tidemark in a canine model has been use d in several prior investigations of various articular cartilage repair pro cedures. Direct comparison of the repair method, 15 weeks postoperatively, showed a significant correlation between the degree to which the calcified cartilage layer and subchondral bone were disrupted and the amount of tissu e filling. Moreover, when it forms, hyaline cartilage most frequently occur s superficial to intact calcified cartilage. Many of the chondrocytic cells and fibroblasts expressed the gene for a contractile muscle actin, alpha - smooth muscle actin. However, the role of this actin isoform is yet in ques tion. These findings may inform future strategies for cartilage repair.