AUTOPSY STUDY CORRELATING DEGREE OF OSTEOARTHRITIS, SYNOVITIS AND EVIDENCE OF ARTICULAR CALCIFICATION

  • 1 January 1984
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 11  (5) , 681-686
Abstract
Inflammation was suggested as a component in the osteoarthritic process. Knees (150) were examined at autopsy to correlate the degree of osteoarthritis (OA) with synovial inflammation, and with radiographic or pathologic evidence of calcification as a possible source of crystal induced inflammation. Roentgenographic evidence of calcification and histologic finding of synovial reaction (proliferation or inflammation) were seen more frequently (P < 0.05) in the knees of patients with more advanced OA. Perichondrocytic staining for Ca and P was seen in 93% of patients with severe OA and in only 24% of those with normal or minimal OA. Ca hydroxyapatite crystals were identified by EM in perichondrocytic and other areas in 8 of 15 cartilage samples with moderate to severe OA and in none with normal appearing cartilage. In advanced OA, there were bone fragments embedded in cartilage and synovium. Although the pathogenetic sequences are uncertain, calcium hydroxyapatite (and pyrophosphate) crystals and/or bone shards can contribute to both synovitis and cartilage degeneration.

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