The association of amyloid deposits and osteoarthritis.

Ten of eighteen consecutive patients who underwent total knee or hip arthroplasty for osteoarthritis had amyloid present in the surgically removed articular tissues. It was found in 6 of 13 cartilage specimens, 4 of 18 articular capsules, and 2 of 16 synovial membranes. In 3 of the cartilage specimens, the amyloid was adjacent to focal deposits of calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate crystals. Therefore, deposits of amyloid are not uncommon in osteoarthritis and may be more than incidental findings.