34th Annual Scientific Meeting proceedings

Objectives:

Patellar cartilage is essential for joint function. With the increasing use of joint implants in veterinary medicine, understanding the surface properties of patellar cartilage across species is crucial to prevent implant-induced cartilage damage due to surface roughness.

This study aims to compare the surface roughness, thickness and structural properties of feline and canine patellar cartilage with human patellar cartilage data from the literature. The aim is to determine whether similar quality standards for joint implants should be applied to veterinary patients.

Methods:

Patella cartilage samples were collected from three adult cats (European short-haired and long-haired) and six dogs (three dolichocephalic and three brachycephalic breeds). Animals were euthanised for reasons unrelated to this study. Surface characterisation was performed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), optical profilometry, 3D microscopy and cross-sectional SEM. The measurements were compared with existing human patellar cartilage data obtained using similar methods.

Results:

The results indicate that both feline and canine patellar cartilage have surface roughness and thickness parameters comparable to human cartilage. SEM and 3D microscopy revealed similar microstructural features between species. Although differences were observed between canine breeds, these did not significantly affect the overall comparison with human cartilage.

Conclusions:

The similarities in cartilage properties between cats, dogs and humans suggest that human joint implant quality standards are applicable to veterinary implants. Therefore, implants for feline and canine patients should adhere to equivalent surface finish and material specifications to prevent cartilage degradation and ensure joint longevity.