Crystal deposition in normal and diseased articular cartilage: an extended report.

Particles observed on the surfaces of human articular cartilage following trauma and from chondromalacic, osteoarthritic and rheumatoid joints using the scanning electron microscope were analysed by x-ray diffraction technique. The particles contained calcium and phosphorus and they were identified only in structurally abnormal cartilage. These findings suggest that local abnormality of articular cartilage probably underlies crystal-deposition.