Skeletal Changes Associated with Osteoarthritis

AbstractOsteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative joint disorder in which progressive articular cartilage loss occurs alongside pathological changes in subchondral bone and other joint tissues. The pathophysiological role of bone in OA has been a point of interest for many years and has resurfaced again in recent years as a potential target for new treatments. Articular cartilage and subchondral bone together form the osteochondral unit. Its homeostasis and integrity are reliant on biochemical crosstalk and biomechanical interplay between the two. Subchondral bone, with its relatively greater stiffness and strength, provides mechanical support to the overlying cartilage and absorbs much of the mechanical force transmitted through the joint. Mechanical instability in osteoarthritic joints is thought to be a significant risk-factor in joint disease, due to the mechano-sensitive nature of many of its native tissues. Although the progression of joint disease remains incompletely understood, significant changes in subchondral bone remodelling, structure, composition, and mechanical properties have been documented in animal and human studies of OA. The purpose of this review is to explore and discuss these bony changes associated with disease and, in particular, contextualise the basic science and clinical literature on the role of subchondral bone in OA.
Source: Clinical Reviews in Bone and Mineral Metabolism - Category: Internal Medicine Source Type: research