Assessment of healthy trapeziometacarpal cartilage properties using indentation testing and contrast-enhanced computed tomography.

Background: The trapeziometacarpal joint is a common site for osteoarthritis development in the hand. When osteoarthritis is present, it results in significant functional disabilities due to the broad range of activities performed by this joint. However, our understanding of osteoarthritis initiation and progression at this joint is limited because of the current lack of knowledge regarding the properties and structure of the corresponding cartilage layers.

Contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT) attenuation is associated with stiffness of intact knee cartilage.

Contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT) using charged contrast-agents enables quantification of cartilage glycosaminoglycan content. Since glycosaminoglycan content is a key determinant of cartilage compressive stiffness, CECT measurements have the potential to non-invasively assess cartilage stiffness. The objective of this study was to determine whether CECT attenuation, using a cationic contrast-agent (CA4+), correlates with the stiffness of intact cartilage.