Subchondral bone in osteoarthritis physiopathology: state-of-the art and perspectives

Biomed Mater Eng. 2009;19(4-5):311-6. doi: 10.3233/BME-2009-0596.

Abstract

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common form of arthritic disease, and it is a major cause of disability and impaired quality of life in the elderly. A hallmark of the disease is progressive degeneration of articular cartilage and subsequent joint space narrowing. However, OA is a complex disease not limited to cartilage degeneration, but involving also synovial membrane and subchondral bone, thereby presenting alternatives approaches for treatment. In this paper, we propose a short review of the recent advances in the understanding of the role played by subchondral bone in OA.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Bone and Bones / pathology*
  • Bone and Bones / physiopathology*
  • Cartilage, Articular / pathology*
  • Cartilage, Articular / physiopathology*
  • Humans
  • Models, Biological*
  • Osteoarthritis / pathology*
  • Osteoarthritis / physiopathology*