The Modified Canine Groove Model of Osteoarthritis

Background/Objectives: In the original canine groove model of osteoarthritis (OA), superficial scratches to the cartilage lead to slow progressive cartilage damage, with inflammation mimicking key aspects of human disease. The present study assesses a modified canine groove model with full-thickness cartilage grooves, gouged with a 3-mm biopsy punch, in the femoral condyles. This modified model enables the study of cartilage repair techniques, such as scaffold implantation. Methods: Cartilage defects were induced in the right knee of five mongrel dogs (four females, one male; 17 ± 4 months; 25.9 ± 2.0 kg) using the modified groove model, creating two full-thickness cartilage grooves on the femoral condyles. Data of a previously studied cohort of nine dogs (nine females; 18 ± 6 months; 17.6 ± 0.7 kg) with OA induced according to the original groove model served as the canine OA standard. Both groups were monitored up to 45 weeks post-surgery. Pain/function was assessed by force plate analysis, and cartilage integrity, chondrocyte activity, and synovial inflammation were evaluated on the surgically untouched tibial plateaus by macroscopic, histologic, and biochemical analyses. Results: Force plate analysis showed no significant changes in either group. Both models exhibited OA features. Experimental knees had more macroscopic and histologic damage, reduced proteoglycan content, and impaired retention of proteoglycans than controls. The modified groove model had less severe cartilage damage and synovial inflammation (p = 0.026, p = 0.017), with no other significant differences. Conclusions: The modified groove model induces OA at a slow pace, mirroring post-traumatic OA development in humans. It represents a mild OA model, comparable to the original groove model, and may be useful for evaluating cartilage repair strategies, such as scaffold implantation.