Softening of the lateral condyle articular cartilage in the canine knee joint after long distance (up to 40 km/day) running training lasting one year.

The effects of long distance running training (up to 40km/day) on the biomechanical properties of young canine articular cartilage were investigated using in situ indentation creep technique. The stiffness of articular cartilage was determined in the form of instantaneous and equilibrium shear moduli. The rate of cartilage deformation was also computed. Microspectrophotometric and polarized light microscopic analyses were made for determination of local glycosaminoglycan content and collagen organization, respectively. During a period of one year, the runner dogs (n = 10) underwent a gradually increased treadmill exercise up to 40 km/day, while the littermate control dogs (n = 10) lived normally in their cages. The equilibrium shear modulus of articular cartilage decreased significantly by 12 to 14% (p < 0.05) in the lateral, but not in the medial, condyles of femur and tibia. In the lateral condyles of the runner dogs, the deformation rate of cartilage increased by 16% (p < 0.05). Consequently, the articular cartilage response to running training was site-dependent. The simultaneous changes of the equilibrium shear modulus or the retardation time spectrum and the glycosaminoglycan content confirm the key role of proteoglycans in modulating the cartilage equilibrium stiffness and creep rate. The changes in the instant shear modulus appeared to be predominantly related to the alterations in the organization of the superficial collagen network. Although the running training did not create cartilage damage, we assume that the softening of the cartilage may with time jeopardize the ability of articular cartilage to maintain its normal structural and functional properties.