A Porcine Animal Model for Early Meniscal Degeneration – Analysis of Histology, Gene Expression and Magnetic Resonance Imaging Six Months after Resection of the Anterior Cruciate Ligament
Fig 2
Histological evaluation of the degeneration in the PI of menisci in the control (A, B) and ACLR (C, D) group.
A four step scoring was performed using hematoxylin-eosin staining. In case of homogeneously stained matrix with balanced cell distribution (A) degeneration was graded O. If additional matrix clefts occurred, degeneration was graded 1 (B). Degenerative changes such as moderate basophilic (blue) matrix staining in accordance with matrix clefts have been graded 2 (C). Additional mucoid changes (circle in D) and the separation of the fibrocartilage represent third grade degeneration (D). The grade of degeneration in AH, PH and PI of all medial menisci has been determined (E). Clear degeneration was only able to be observed in the medial menisci after ACLR (F).