Osteoarthritis year in review 2018: mechanics

Abstract

Objective: To review recent biomechanics literature focused on the interactions between biomechanics and articular cartilage health, particularly focused on macro-scale and human studies. Design: A literature search was conducted in PubMed using the search terms (biomechanics AND osteoarthritis) OR (biomechanics AND cartilage) OR (mechanics AND osteoarthritis) OR (mechanics AND cartilage) for publications from April 2017 to April 2018. Results: Abstracts from the 559 articles generated from the literature search were reviewed. Due to the wide range of topics, 62 full texts with a focus on in vivo biomechanical studies were included for further discussion. Several overarching themes in the recent literature were identified and are summarized, including 1) new methods to detect early osteoarthritis (OA) development, 2) studies describing healthy and OA cartilage and biomechanics, 3) ACL injury and OA development, 4) meniscus injury and OA development, and 5) OA prevention, treatment, and management. Conclusions: Mechanical loading is a critical factor in the maintenance of joint health. Abnormal mechanical loading can lead to the onset and progression of OA. Thus, recent studies have utilized various biomechanical models to better describe the etiology of OA development and the subsequent effects of OA on the mechanics of joint tissues and whole body biomechanics.

Diabetes Mellitus Accelerates Progression of Osteoarthritis in Streptozotocin-induced Diabetic Mice by Deteriorating Bone Microarchitecture, Bone Mineral Composition and Bone Strength of Subchondral Bone

“…In normal joints, subchondral bone exerts important stress bearing and structural support function just as a shock absorber and structural girder. Subchondral bone can buffer approximately 30% of the intra-articular stress, can maintain the matching of the joint, and can prevent intra-articular stress concentration [3]. On the other hand, SB supplies nutrients to cartilage with about 50 % of its glucose and oxygen requirements and facilitates the removal of metabolic waste products by the healthy crosstalk between SB and cartilage, which is also important to maintain the normal function of the joint [6].…”

“…progression of OA. And growing evidence suggests subchondral bone plays a crucial role in the initiation and progression of OA [3]. The manifestations of subchondral bone exhibit dynamic remodeling parallel or even precede with cartilage degradation including architecture, biochemical composition, biomechanics and physiological function, which is widely considered as a hallmark a and a central feature of OA disease progress [4,5].…”

Purinergic System Signaling in Metainflammation-Associated Osteoarthritis

“…Articular cartilage damage and degeneration occurs mainly because of an imbalance between the mechanical load it receives and its ability to absorb and distribute it. Altered mechanical joint loading is often associated with being overweight, anatomical misalignment or post-traumatic joint instability, and these are all critical risk factors for joint destruction ( 91 , 92 ). The progressive destruction of the cartilage matrix leads to the appearance of tissue fragments in the articular cavity, known as “damage-associated molecular patterns” (DAMPs).…”

Emerging Gene-Editing Modalities for Osteoarthritis

“…It is, rather, a complex disease consisting of a group of conditions with multiple pathways that all result ultimately in progressive, irreversible joint failure as the outcome. Many susceptibility factors play a part in the pathogenesis of OA, such as age, gender, and weight [ 18 , 19 , 20 ]. Old age, female gender, repetitive joint stress, injury, joint laxity, high body weight, and osteoporosis all contribute to OA [ 21 , 22 ].…”