[The articular cartilage of the patella in scanning electron microscopy].
The authors have studied 50 samples of patellar cartilage, normal and pathological, obtained by biopsy, using a scanning electron-microscope. The normal cartilage shows characteristic regular wave-like undulations. The size of these waves varied between 5,000 and 7,000 nm and the undulations were linked by regularly-spaced fibrillary bridges. In a case with an osteochondral fracture, the fracture site was covered by peripheral cartilage, as had previously been shown by Ghadially. Eighteen cases of patellar chondropathy were divisible into three groups: group I (four cases) showed fibrillary chondropathy, of cerebriform appearance and without fibres. Group II (12 cases) showed a fibrillary chondropathy with loss of geometrical regularity and a staghorn appearance. Group III (two cases) showed an oedematous chondropathy with destruction of fibres. In group II, the presence of bundles of fibres with microfractures indicates a potential for progress to frank arthrosis.
Coudane
H
H
Clinique de Traumatologie et d'Orthopédie, Nancy.
Mole
D
D
Sommelet
J
J
Schmitt
D
D
Grignon
G
G
Foliguet
B
B
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002357:Cartilage Diseases / Q000473:pathology*; D002358:Cartilage, Articular / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D005260:Female; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D010003:Osteoarthritis / Q000473:pathology; D010007:Osteochondritis / Q000473:pathology; D010329:Patella / Q000293:injuries / Q000473:pathology / Q000648:ultrastructure*
Aspects du cartilage rotulien en microscopie électronique à balayage.