Mechanically Stressed Joint Modifications In Different Physiopathological Conditions: A Morphofunctional Analysis

Joint degeneration and articular lesions represent a common cause of temporary or permanent disability, both in elderly and in young people, and their onset could be associated to different physiological and pathological conditions. Mechanical overloading is one of the most relevant risk factor for joint diseases and traumas promoting. Two of the most common joint pathologies are osteoarthritis (OA) and calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate crystal deposition disease (CPPD). In this thesis, we analysed human knee and shoulder joint modifications in different conditions: OA, CPPD and meniscal trauma. Samples were collected from multi-organ donors and patients undergoing arthroscopic partial meniscectomy or total knee or shoulder replacement. Then they were fixed and processed to be analysed by means of light microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and environmental scanning electron microscopy with microanalysis capability. Our results have highlighted many innovative and interesting aspects concerning the incidence of mechanical overload in the onset of joint pathologies, the microscopical articular modifications in OA and CPPD, the first identification of chondroptosis in CPPD, the probable cause-effect relationship between cell death and calcium crystals, the similarity between meniscal degeneration from OA and meniscal trauma, and the young age importance in pre- and post-operative joint stability.