Pauli, C., Grogan, S., Patil, S.

, Otsuki,
S., Hasegawa, A., Koziol, J., et al.
(2011). Macroscopic and
histopathologic analysis of human
knee menisci in aging and
osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis
Research Society International , 11321141.
Ignacio, Richelle Angelika E. 3Bio2

Abstract

Osteoarthritis in menisci
A meniscus is a piece of
cartilage found where two
bones meet (joint space).
Menisci (plural of
meniscus) protect and
cushion the joint surface
and bone ends.
Osteoarthritis (OA) is a
joint disease affecting the
articulate (hyaline)
cartilage wherein the top
layer of cartilage breaks
down and wears away
allowing bones under the
cartilage to rub together.

Methodology
1.52 cm long slices
were resected from the
anterior, middle and
posterior region of each
meniscus

STAINING:
-H&E for general
overview of tissue
organization
-Alcian Blue for mucoid
degeneration
-Picrosirius Red for
collagen fiber
organization
-Alizarin Red Stain for
meniscus calcification

FIXATION:
Z- Fix for 2-3
days

DEHYDRATION:
Alcohol

Paraffin
Infiltration

CLEARING:
Pro-Par Clearant

Results & Discussion

DEGREE OF
SEVERITY

OBSERVATIONS

SCORE 0
(Normal
meniscus)

SCORE 1

SCORE 2

SCORE 3

The meniscus surface is smooth, no fraying or surface fibrillation

(Fig.2 A-B)
Normal cell distribution (Fig.3 A)
Normal appearance of extracellular matrix and collagen fiber
organization (Fig.4 A)
The meniscus surface shows slight fibrillation or undulation (Fig.2
C-D)
Diffuse hypercellularity (Fig.3 B)
Diffuse foci (C) of degenerated extracellular matrix (hyalin and/or
mucoid), most of the collagen fibers are organized (Fig.4 B)
Moderate fibrillation, fraying and/or undulation, some clefts are
present (Fig.2 E-F)
Meniscus tissue shows hypo- to a-cellular regions (Fig.3 C)
Bands or confluent foci of degenerated extracellular matrix
substance (hyalin and/or mucoid), most of the collagen fibers appear
unorganized (Fig.4 C)
The meniscus shows severe fraying and tears, severe disruption
(Fig.2 G-H)
Hypocellular meniscus tissue (Fig.3 D)
Fibrocartilaginous separation (edema, hyaline and/or mucoid
degeneration, cyst formation, tears) with unorganized collagen fibers

Conclusion
New standardized protocols and new
validated grading systems allowed us
to
conduct
a
more
systematic
evaluation of changes in aging and OA
menisci
at
a
macroscopic
and
microscopic level. The initiation and
progression of meniscus degeneration
differs in many aspects from that
occurring in articular cartilage.