Early histopathologic and ultrastructural alterations in femorotibial joints of partial medial meniscectomized guinea pigs

The articular cartilage from femorotibial joints of partial medial meniscectomized male guinea pigs was evaluated at 24, 48, 72, and 96 hours post-surgery to determine the sequential histopathologic and ultrastructural alterations. At 24 hours post-surgery, histopathologic alterations were in the superficial and middle layers and consisted of degeneration and necrosis of chondrocytes and minimal decreased intensity of toluidine blue matrix staining. Changes in chondrocytes and matrix became progressively more extensive 48 hours after surgery. Ultrastructurally, the changes in the superficial matrix appeared to be the result of loss of the fine granular material interspersed between collagen fibers. At 72 and 96 hours post-surgery, chondrocyte loss was extensive and surface fibrillation was seen. These findings suggested that chondrocyte death was the initial important event which led to progressive severe cartilage degeneration in this model.