Figure 2

Cartilage mineralization and correlation with the degree of histologic changes. Histological assessment was performed on tangential cut cartilage using a modified Mankin scoring system. Three representative histological sections from each Mankin grade and one from the control group are shown with their corresponding DCRs. Whereas the 10 controls show intact articular cartilage with no mineralization detected, an increase in matrix mineralization with further cartilage destruction was observed by DCR (A). A statistically significant positive correlation between OA grade and articular cartilage mineralization for both the slab specimens and the tangential cut articular cartilage was observed in specimens graded as Mankin II and III (I-II: p = 0.036; II-III: p = 0.001) (B, C).