Histological study of the IM and IS joints in 125 ears from 86 individuals varying in age from infancy to 96 years showed arthritic changes which increased in severity with advancing age. The earliest changes in the articular cartilage consisted of fraying and fibrillation, followed by thinning and calcification. The joint capsule showed atrophy and hyalinization and the articular disc showed hyaline deposits in early cases and calcium deposits in severe cases. Audiograms which were available on 55 ears showed that arthritic changes in these joints did not impair sound transmission through the middle ear.
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