X-ray detection of structural orientation in human articular cartilage.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the feasibility of detecting the structural orientation in cartilage with Diffraction Enhanced X-Ray Imaging.

DESIGN

Human tali and femoral head specimens were Diffraction Enhanced X-Ray Imaged (DEI) at the SYRMEP beamline at Elettra at various energy levels to detect the architectural arrangement of collagen within cartilage. DEI utilizes a monochromatic and highly collimated beam, with an analyzer crystal that selectively weights out photons according to the angle they have been deviated with respect to the original direction. This provides images of very high contrast, and with the rejection of X-ray scatter.

RESULTS

DEI allowed the visualization of articular cartilage and a structural orientation, resembling arcades, within.

CONCLUSION

Our diffraction enhanced images represent the first radiographic detection of the structural orientation in cartilage. Our data are in line with previous studies on the structural organization of joint cartilage. They confirm the model of a vaulting system of collagen fiber bundles interrupted by proteoglycan aggregates.