Development of a Novel Canine Model for Posttraumatic Osteoarthritis of the Knee

Translational models of posttraumatic osteoarthritis (PTOA) that accurately represent clinical pathology need to be developed. This study assessed a novel canine model for PTOA using impact injury. Impacts were delivered to the medial femoral condyle of dogs using a custom-designed impactor at 20, 40, or 60 MPa. Functional assessments and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were performed at 2 and 12 weeks, and arthroscopic and histologic assessments were performed at 12 weeks after injury. At 2 and 12 weeks, dogs had observable lameness, knee pain, effusion, loss in range of motion (ROM) and dysfunction in both hindlimbs with severity correlated strongly (r>0.77) to impact level. At 12 weeks, function, pain, effusion, and ROM were significantly (p<0.049) worse in knees impacted at 40 and 60 MPa compared with 20 MPa. MRI showed consistent cartilage and subchondral bone marrow lesions, and arthroscopy revealed synovitis and cartilage destruction in impacted knees, with increased severity for 40 and 60 MPa impacts. Histopathology was significantly (p=0.049) more severe in 40 and 60 MPa and strongly correlated (r=0.93) to impact level. This novel translational model appears to be valid for investigation of PTOA, including determination of temporal mechanisms of disease and preclinical testing for preventative and therapeutic strategies.