Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Degree

Master of Science

Program

Kinesiology

Supervisor

Dr Dianne Bryant

Abstract

Osteoarthritis affects 13-20% of Canadians with the majority being under 65years of age. Post-traumatic osteoarthritis (PTOA) is of great concern in young athletes following knee injury. Current research attempts at modeling the disease fall short. This study aimed to incorporate two important aspects of injury, the nature of the injury and the post-injury standard of care in humans, to a model of PTOA in mice. The study validated a non-invasive protocol to elicit an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury at varying loading speeds addressing the closed capsule nature of an ACL injury that occurs in humans. Secondly, we proposed a stabilization surgery implemented after an ACL transection event addressing the post-injury standard of care often ignored in animal models. This procedure provided protection in mice at ten weeks following the injury. Future research should incorporate the two protocols and create a better model that is more clinically relevant to the field PTOA.

Share

COinS