Role of subchondral bone in the restoration of articular cartilage.

The role of subchondral bone in the restoration of the articular cartilage was determined in experiments on mongrel dogs subjected to gonarthrosis modeling followed by subchondral zone tunneling and introduction of bone marrow suspension into the canal. Light microscopy, computer histomorphometry, and electron probe microanalysis showed that stimulation of functional activity of chondrocytes was achieved via correction of homeostasis of the cartilage and subchondral bone and improvement of tissue trophic. Restoration of the microarchitecture of the subchondral bone and improving its vascularization after tunneling with the introduction of bone marrow suspension into the drill holes enhances chondrocyte metabolism and recovers their functionality.