Histomorphometric, CT Arthrographic, and Biomechanical Mapping of the Human Ankle

Abstract

Thorough understanding of the osteochondral unit of the ankle joint could be helpful for clinicians and researchers in the development of improved operative repair techniques for osteochondral defects in the ankle joint, for example, in constructing specific tissue-engineered osteochondral plugs.

The Notch of Harty (Pseudodefect of the Tibial Plafond): Frequency and Characteristic Findings at MRI of the Ankle

“…The cartilage thickness at the tibial plafond varies normally [18]. In our study, the tibial plafond was variably covered by cartilage anteromedially at the notch of Harty.…”

Biochemical cartilage alteration and unexpected signal recovery in T2* mapping observed in ankle joints with mobile MRI during a transcontinental multistage footrace over 4486 km

“…These findings provide further evidence of specific anatomical and biomechanical properties in the ankle as a primary rolling joint with congruent surfaces making the TTJ less susceptible to osteoarthritic changes and more resilient than other joints 9,18 . Ankle cartilage is stiffer than cartilage in the knee 19 or hip 20 , which is inversely correlated to cartilage thickness 21 . This is attributed to its special molecular composition with higher glycosaminoglycan (GAG) and less water content 19 when compared to the knee joint.…”

“…Most of the water occupies the interfibrillar space of the extracellular matrix and it is believed that approximately 70% of the water is free to move when loaded by compressive forces 25 . This interstitial fluid movement is important in controlling cartilage mechanical behavior 21 . The swelling pressures of articular cartilage 22 is, in turn resisted and balanced by tension developed in the collagen network according to Starling's law.…”

3D grating-based X-ray phase-contrast computed tomography for high-resolution quantitative assessment of cartilage: An experimental feasibility study with 3T MRI, 7T MRI and biomechanical correlation

“…Alternatively, CT or CTA may be performed in order to detect cartilage lesions in patients with cardiac pacemakers or claustrophobia or for improved detection of cartilage defects in thin cartilage layers [13]. However soft tissues provide rather low tissue contrast in conventional multi-slice CT [14].…”