Histological Changes and Neural Elements in the Posterior Cruciate Ligament in Osteoarthritic Knees

Abstract

Purpose. To evaluate histological changes and neural elements in 100 posterior cruciate ligaments (PCLs) in patients with osteoarthritis. Methods. 100 PCLs were obtained from a consecutive series of 46 women and 16 men aged 49 to 91 (mean, 67) years who underwent primary PCL-retaining total knee replacement for osteoarthritis. Histology was examined using conventional light microscopy. The PCLs were graded histologically in terms of parallel orientation of collagen fibres, mucoid degeneration, inflammation, and haemosiderin deposition. Histological changes were graded as normal, mild degeneration, moderate degeneration, and severe degeneration. The neural elements were assessed using immunohistochemical staining for S100 protein and neurofilaments. The histopathologist was blinded to the age, gender, and clinical and radiological grades of osteoarthritis. Results. One specimen was excluded from analysis owing to inadequate tissue. In the remaining 99 specimens, histology was normal in 72, mildly degenerative in 4, moderately degenerative in 4, and severely degenerative in 15. 76 specimens were of Orthopaedic Surgery 2014;22(2):142-5 positive for S100 protein or neurofilament or both by immunohistochemical staining, indicating the presence of neural elements. Conclusion. Most knees with osteoarthritis present with viable PCLs. Retaining the PCL in total knee replacement is a good option for better kinematics, stability, and proprioception.

Identification of differentially expressed microRNAs in knee anterior cruciate ligament tissues surgically removed from patients with osteoarthritis

“…Most of the earlier studies compared miRNA expression in the injured cartilage and synovium between patients with OA and normal controls ( 15 – 17 ); however, changes in cruciate ligment have been less studied. The cruciate ligament is a collagenous tissue for structural support and provides proprioception to the body by mediating knee kinesthesia ( 18 ). Of note, the degradation of the cruciate ligaments frequently occurs in osteoarthritic knees ( 18 , 19 ).…”

“…The cruciate ligament is a collagenous tissue for structural support and provides proprioception to the body by mediating knee kinesthesia ( 18 ). Of note, the degradation of the cruciate ligaments frequently occurs in osteoarthritic knees ( 18 , 19 ). The present study was therefore conducted to analyze the miRNA expression profiles in anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tissues surgically removed from patients with OA and control subjects by using miRNA microarray analysis.…”

Mechanoreceptors in Remnant Posterior Cruciate Ligament and Achilles Tendon Allografts After Remnant-Preserving Posterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: Hematoxylin-Eosin and Immunohistochemical Assessments

“…26 In addition, we used the markers only as a means to check the presence of mechanoreceptors, not to focus on their effectiveness as tools to detect mechanoreceptors. 25,26…”

Micro- and Macroscale Assessment of Posterior Cruciate Ligament Functionality Based on Advanced MRI Techniques

“…Immediately after imaging, the specimens were prepared for macroscopic and microscopic reference evaluation of the PCL and its osseous insertions sites [20][21][22]. Following surgical access to the joint via the medial parapatellar approach and lateral eversion of the patella, the cruciate ligament complex was identified and evaluated macroscopically.…”

“…The macroscopic and microscopic appearances of the PCL were graded as normal (i.e., no changes), abnormal (i.e., thinned or thickened without fiber disruption or displaying signs of degeneration such as sclerosis or mucoid transformation), or ruptured (i.e., thinned or thickened with partial or complete fiber disruption) [20,22]. L.M.W.…”