Abstract
Introduction
Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease characterized by progressive erosion of the articular cartilage. The sites of erosion of articular cartilage have been reported, but no explanation for this particular pattern has previously been suggested.
Aims
To analyze the gross features of lesions, together with their frequency of occurrence and situation, and wear relationship with individual body profile.
Materials and methods
Data collected from the dissection of 102 cadavers at a tertiary hospital.
Results
Wear patterns on the tibial surface show that the areas involved in the majority of cases include middle medial and middle lateral regions of the tibial plateau. There also seemed to be a strong correlation between age, body mass index and the wear pattern. The incidence of posteromedial erosions on the tibial plateau was mainly seen in the ACL-deficient knee. Also, incidence of lateral meniscus tears was found to be higher in the ACL-deficient knees.
Conclusion
In osteoarthritis of the knee joint, the middle third of both the femoral and tibial articular surfaces is most commonly involved in wears, followed by anteromedial and posterolateral compartments both for tibial and femoral surfaces. The wear patterns in the ACL-deficient knee changes due to altered loading characteristics.
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The authors do not have any financial relationship with the organization that sponsored the research.
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Raju, P.K., Kini, S.G. & Verma, A. Wear patterns of tibiofemoral articulation in osteoarthritic knees: analysis and review of literature. Arch Orthop Trauma Surg 132, 1267–1271 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00402-012-1547-y
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00402-012-1547-y