Localization and frequency of degenerative changes in the knee joint: evaluation of 200 necropsies.

A study was performed of 400 knee joints of 200 cadavers. Degenerative changes of the femoropatellar joint affecting the retropatellar articular surface were more frequent and more severe, while in the tibiofemoral joint changes were more frequent and more severe on the femoral articular surface. Owing to the relationship of the two joints, changes of the femoropatellar joint occur more frequently and are usually more severe than those of the tibiofemoral joint. These findings imply that diffuse osteoarthritis of the knee starts mostly in the femoropatellar joint. It is emphasized that early diagnosis and management of degenerative changes in the femoropatellar joint will facilitate the prevention of knee joint panarthrosis.