Histological studies on articular cartilage have been traditionally based on individual observations but this approach is limited by its subjectivity and bias, yielding considerable variability. So the present study was conducted to observe the various changes in the morphology of osteoarthritic femoral articular cartilage using computerized image analysis. The cartilage specimens were divided into two groups: group 1 ( ) (46–81 years) consisted of OA specimens. Group 2 ( ) (41–86 years) consisted of non-OA specimens. A 5？μm thick paraffin sections were stained with H&E staining and analyzed using Image-Pro Express image analysis software for quantitative analysis of articular cartilage. Various parameters, namely, total thickness of the cartilage, area of lacunae in each zone, area of subchondral cavities, and number of chondrocytes per 10,000？μm2 area in each zone, were measured. Microscopic appearance of OA cartilage was much different as compared to control. Various changes seen were different in all specimens and they were not related to age. Lacunar size in all four zones was found to differ significantly in the OA (group 1) and control (group 2) ( ). The results suggest that OA should be considered as a specific process and not simply as an inevitable feature of ageing. 1. Introduction Articular cartilage undergoes substantial structural and molecular changes with age, including surface fibrillation, alteration of structure and composition of collagen, and decrease in strength. Such changes increase the risk of synovial joint degeneration that leads to osteoarthritis (OA), which is a degenerative joint disease characterized by articular cartilage degeneration. It is the most common of the various articular disorders affecting man. Loss of articular cartilage is the major cause of joint dysfunction and disability in OA. Since its early development, digital microscopic image analysis has offered the potential for improving the objectivity of microscopic observations. Substantial efforts have already been made to convert the evaluations of experienced pathologists into quantitative values in various research and diagnostic fields [1–3]. In a previous study, using computerized image analysis we observed the changes in the morphology of the non-OA femoral articular cartilage with age and only the lacunar size in zone 3 was found to correlate significantly with age. Despite this difference in lacunar size, normal histology, that is, four zones could be identified in all non-OA specimens though minor changes in the superficial zone, was observed in the
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