Quantificiation of soft tissue integrity related to knee osteoarthritis

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Osteoarthritis (OA) is a debilitating disease affecting approximately three million, or 10% of Canadians. Although many researchers have hypothesized a link between altered mechanical loading within the knee joint and osteoarthritis progression, no definitive formula for this connection has been made. In addition, most people believe OA is a disease that affects articular cartilage alone, when in fact all tissues in the joint are modified by the disease. The research outlined in this proposal will examine the changes to some of the lesser studies soft tissues of the knee joint such as the joint capsule and meniscus, for both altered structure and mechanical response to loading. The tissue samples will be obtained from an animal model, to allow for a time controlled look at the disease progression, from the initial injury that leads to degenerative OA. Samples will be analyzed through medical imaging techniques examining the entire knee joint, as well as state-of-the art small tissue sample biaxial testing. Biochemical and histological analyses will also be conducted to quantify tissue constituents and organization. This work may help to quantify a link between the mechanical degradation and tissue structural organization that occurs with OA. Once we have an improved understanding of this relation, we will be in a better position to intervene earlier, and with improved treatment options for this disease affecting so many Canadians.