Osteoarthritis of the Anterior Cruciate Ligament and Medial Tibial Plateau: A Cadaveric Study

Abstract

The objective of this study was to analyze morphometric anatomy and damages with aging in cadaveric knee specimens specific to the cruciate ligaments, the articular cartilage of the tibial plateau, and the menisci. Morphometric analyses to cadaveric anatomy of the knee were performed using Image-Pro® software on 3 age populations: <70 years old, 70 to 79 years old, and ≥80 years old. An average thickness of the cruciate ligaments was assessed with 5 circumferential measurements per specimen using nylon thread. Percent degeneration of the tibial plateau's articular cartilage and coverage by menisci was assessed with surface area measurements. The articular cartilage of the medial tibial plateau in ≥80 years old specimens showed a 1.7-fold increase in surface area degeneration (mm) compared to 70 to 79 years old specimens ( P < 0.05). The medial meniscus also experienced degenerative changes with aging, which were expressed as decreases in tibial plateau coverage. The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) experienced substantial degenerative thinning with aging. The 70 to 79 years old specimens had a 1.2-fold (10.5%) decrease in average ACL circumference (mm) compared to the <70 years old specimens ( P < 0.001). The ≥80 years old specimens had a 1.24-fold (19%) decrease in ACL circumference compared to the <70 years old specimens ( P < 0.001). ACL thinning during aging may be leading to substantial articular cartilage and menisci degeneration given the cruciate ligaments are a primary restraint that combats shearing forces at the knee joint.

Intraarticular Ligament Degeneration Is Interrelated with Cartilage and Bone Destruction in Osteoarthritis

“…Collagen fiber disintegration was an early and the most obvious alteration observed in ligament aging [11]. A macroscopically visible thinning of the ACL was observed with increasing age [95]. In addition to the above mentioned studies in human patients, in aging dogs, which are prone to CrCL degeneration, cell loss and chondroid metaplasia could be found in the CrCL and, to a lesser degree, in the caudal cruciate ligament (CaCL), but it is rarely found in other ligaments such as the medial collateral ligament [96].…”

Effect of Acupotomy on FAK‐PI3K Signaling Pathways in KOA Rabbit Articular Cartilages

“…As a disease of the entire knee joint, KOA can originate not only from degenerative changes of cartilages and bones (such as cartilage wearing, subchondral bone lesions, and osteophytes) but also from tears and subluxation of menisci, sprain of ligaments, synovitis, etc. [ 17 , 22 – 24 ]. It is becoming clear that articular tissues other than cartilage play an important role in the process of OA.…”

Age- and Occupation-Based Public Health Considerations Related to Osteoarthritis of the Knee Joint: A Cadaveric Study

“…These comparisons determine that it is between the fourth through sixth decade of life, when patients are in their 30s through 50s, that visible signs of OA are first appearing. 27 It is within this age range that patients should view the health of their joints in a less naïve manner, addressing the fact that an acceptable BMI does not guarantee knee joint health. As this appraisal could not produce any statistical significance it is simply a comparison and can be viewed as a limitation of the assessment.…”

“…This contrasts to the 16% and 18% of articular cartilage degeneration on the medial and lateral tibial plateaus, respectively, in the <70-year-old population; these complete population findings are published. 27 All cadaveric specimens analyzed in the <70 years old age group, 70 to 79 years old age group, and the ≥80 years old age group had some degree of articular cartilage damages related to OA.…”

“…Surface areas of cartilage degeneration on the tibial plateau for the three age populations were compared using an analysis of variance statistical test with a Newman-Keuls posttest for multiple comparisons; these complete population findings have been published. 27…”