An experimental study of the healing process of equine chondral and osteochondral defects

Four full thickness cartilage defects, two linear and two elliptical, and four subchondral cavity defects were created at the point of weightbearing of the medial femoral condyle in four experimental ponies. This study showed that subchondral bone cysts can develop following full thickness (cartilage only) linear cartilage defects at a weightbearing location. Subchondral bone cysts did not develop following the removal of an elliptical piece of cartilage, exposing the subchondral bone. Primary subchondral defects created in communication with the joint cavity did not heal by replacement with bone over a six-month period. Fibrous and cartilaginous repair occurred which appeared to be unrelated to the size or depth of the subchondral defect. Irrespective of the size of the defects, the surrounding bone showed marked woven bone formation with remodelling of existing and newly formed bone. The resulting osteosclerosis indicated a positive balance and a natural limitation of cavity expansion. The positive balance affected only the surrounding bone and did not lead to re-establishment of the bone within the cavity during the period studied.