[Degeneration of articular cartilage of the ankle in cadavers studied by gross and radiographic examinations].

Eighty-two joints out of 41 cadavers were studied grossly in order to evaluate degenerative changes in talocrural articular cartilage with age. Cartilage degeneration was seen in 97.6% of joints. Cartilage degeneration associated with cartilage defects were seen at the age of 50 years. Thereafter, the severity of degeneration became more marked with aging. This severe cartilage degeneration was mainly found in medial and anterior regions in the talocrural joints. The anterior tibiofibular, deltoid, calcaneofibular and anterior talofibular ligaments of 40 joints of out 20 cadavers were grossly studied in order to establish the relationship between the degree of degeneration of these ligaments and that of articular cartilage. Grossly severe degeneration was present only in the anterior talofibular ligaments of 2 joints. Both joints presented severe cartilage degeneration in the medial region of the talocrural joint. Severe cartilage degeneration was present in 7 out of 30 joints (23%) whose ligaments were apparently normal upon gross observation. These cartilage degenerations were present in the medial and anterior regions of the talocrural joints.