Extensive hemosiderin deposition in the medial meniscus of a knee. Its possible relationship to degenerative joint disease

Abstract

Hemosiderin deposition in the tissues of the musculoskeletal system is unusual, and deposition of these pigments in the menisci of the knee is extremely rare. Conditions that may predispose to these changes include rheumatoid arthritis, hemochromatosis, pigmented villonodular synovitis, hemophilia, and tuberculous arthritis. A 79-year-old woman developed extensive hemosiderin deposition in the medial meniscus of a knee. Hemosiderin within meniscal chondrocytes was associated with degenerative joint disease and suggested a cause and effect relationship.