Virtual Microscopy	Choose another topic Cardiovascular Respiratory Renal and Urinary Tract Musculoskeletal Neuro(CNS and PNS) Gastrointestinal Reproductive Endocrine Hematopoiesis and Lymphoid Skin

Case 1:

A 69-year-old male with a history of moderate obesity presented to his family physician with a complaint of progressively worsening knee pain and swelling which was activity related. His symptoms had been progressing over the last couple of years and now were severe enough to limit his activity. His initial laboratory work up was within normal limits, and x-rays showed severe degenerative changes of the knee joint, with loss of the joint space. He was tried on a course of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents without relief, and he experienced significant gastrointestinal symptoms from this treatment. The decision was made to proceed with a total joint arthroplasty, and sections of the articular surface from the patient's knee joint are available for study.

Slides: [osteoarthritis] [normal articular cartilage] [hyaline cartilage] [elastic cartilage] [fibrocartilage] [normal adipose tissue]

1. Describe the changes in the articular cartilage and how this differs from the normal articular surface.
2. What effect would these changes in the matrix have on the mechanics and the function of this joint?
3. The term arthritis has been used to describe the changes in this joint. Explain why the term arthrosis would be more appropriate. How would the changes seen in a true inflammatory arthritis (such as Rheumatoid Arthritis), differ from what is seen here?