The histological features of anteromedial gonarthrosis - the comparison of two grading systems in a human phenotype of osteoarthritis

Anteromedial Gonarthrosis (AMG) displays a well recognised pattern of cartilage damage on the medial tibial plateau. Anteriorly there is a full thickness cartilage defect, with transition to a partial thickness defect, becoming full thickness cartilage in the posterior third of the tibial plateau. The retained posterior cartilage is macroscopically normal. This study characterises the histological changes of AMG and examines the usefulness of two histological assessment tools. Sixteen unicompartmental resection specimens of patients with primary AMG were assessed. Samples were stained with Haematoxylin and Eosin and Safranin-O stains and scored using the modified Mankin grade, and the OOCHAS assessment tool. Each specimen was assessed at five regions along the antero-posterior axis starting from the exposed bone to the region of macroscopically normal cartilage. From anterior to posterior the staining showed a consistent increase in structural integrity and cellularity of the cartilage, matched by a qualitative increase in GAG content. Mean modified Mankin and OOCHAS scores showed a progressive decrease in grade (p