Fine-structural changes of the synovial membrane in arthrosis deformans.

Abstract

The known light microscopic findings in the inner part of joint capsules in arthrosis have largely been verified and in part supplemented by scanning and transmission electron microscopic examinations. Whereas in arthrosis of the hip joint sclerosis of the synovial membrane predominates with atrophy of the layer of lining cells, in arthrosis of the knee joint more polymorphic structures of the surface occur with variable but moderate hyperplasia and hypertrophy of the synovial cells. Inflammatory cell proliferations and infiltrates of the same degree as in non-specific arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis were not observed. Thus, the absence both of characteristic changes of the individual synovial cells and of more extensive inflammatory infiltrates in association with atrophy and sclerosis of the synovial folds may be regarded as an indirect indication of the synovial reaction in arthrosis deformans.