Exploring Factors Causing Damage to Articular Cartilage Due to Curettage in Subchondral Region: Is There a Negative Effect in Adjuvant Therapies?
European Musculo-Skeletal Oncology Society, Lisbon, Portekiz, 15 - 17 Nisan 2026, ss.33, (Özet Bildiri)
- Yayın Türü: Bildiri / Özet Bildiri
- Basıldığı Şehir: Lisbon
- Basıldığı Ülke: Portekiz
- Sayfa Sayıları: ss.33
- İstanbul Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet
Özet
Introduction/Background
Subchondral curettage is widely used for benign bone tumors, yet the extent of subsequent articular cartilage damage and
the contribution of adjuvant therapies remain unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of curettage alone,
cementation, phenol, and combined phenol + cement applications on cartilage integrity using biochemical, radiological,
and histopathological analyses.
Methodology
Twenty-six male New Zealand White rabbits were assigned to four groups. Group A: curettage alone (control); Group B: curettage + cementation; Group C: curettage + phenol; Group D: curettage + phenol + cementation. Each group included 13 knees. A lateral subchondral window was created and curettage performed. Serum cartilage oligomatrix protein (COMP) levels were measured preoperatively and at week 8. At week eight, MRI was performed bilaterally to assess cartilage morphology. Histological evaluation included OARSI grading, fibrillation index, and cartilage thickness.
Results
MRI revealed significantly lower cartilage thickness in the lateral condyle compared with the medial condyle across anterior, central, and posterior regions. No significant condylar differences were found in the control group, whereas all adjuvant groups showed significant differences. Serum COMP increased at week 8 but without significance (p = 0.507 pre-op; p = 0.199 post-op across groups). Lateral condyles demonstrated higher OARSI grade, stage, and total scores than medial condyles in all groups (p < 0.001). Significant differences in total OARSI scores were observed among phenol, cement, and combined phenol + cement groups (p = 0.014, 0.019, 0.006 respectively). Lateral condyles also showed higher fibrillation index and reduced cartilage thickness (p < 0.001).
Conclusion
Adjuvant treatments following subchondral curettage resulted in greater cartilage deterioration than curettage alone. However, combined phenol + cement application did not exacerbate damage compared with individual use. These findings suggest that alterations in the subchondral microenvironment adversely affect cartilage metabolism and may contribute to early degenerative changes.