Fig. 9

Representative histological images following MCLT and MCLT + MMT surgeries in the rat. Representative histological images are shown for each surgical group at each time point, with a representative image for a healthy control from the contralateral joint shown at bottom left. The cartilage lesion measurements described in Fig. 6 are visually described in the bottom row. Significant damage to the articular cartilage can be seen in the MCLT + MMT group, including cartilage loss, osteophyte growth, and damage to the calcified cartilage region. Very little cartilage damage or osteophyte growth is seen in the MCLT group. MCLT medial collateral ligament transection, MMT medial meniscus transection