The role of osteophytic growth in hip osteoarthritis

Abstract

We studied the appearance and frequency of the medial epiarticular osteophyte in human femoral heads. Specimens were sampled from 24 men and 31 women who underwent total hip arthroplasty. On radiography, medial epiarticular osteophytes were present in two thirds of the cases. However, histological examination revealed endochondral ossification in all. Presumably, the bone formation was preceded by the formation of canals and cavities containing vessels. Due to the ossification around these canals and cavities, the histological picture frequently featured two layers of cartilage with bone in the middle. Also in the marginal osteophytes, bone was formed by endochondral ossification. However, this bone appeared more irregular. The new bone formation most likely indicates a reactivated growth as an attempt to repair the osteoarthritic lesions rather than a process of degradation.Résumé Nous avons étudié l'apparence et la fréquence de l'ostéophyte épiarticulaire médial dans les têtes fémo-rales humaines. Les spécimens ont été prélevés chez 24 hommes et 31 femmes qui ont subi une arthroplastie totale de la hanche. Sur les radiographies, ces ostéophytes étaient présents dans deux cas sur trois et l'examen histologique a révélé de l'ossification endochondrale dans tous les cas. Vraisemblablement la formation de l'os a été précédée par la formation de canaux et cavités qui contiennent des vaisseaux. A cause de l'ossification autour ces canaux et cavités, l'image histologique a fré-quemment montré deux couches de cartilage entourant une couche osseuse. Dans les ostéophytes marginaux, l'os a aussi été formé par ossification endochondrale. Cependant, cet os a paru plus irrégulier. La nouvelle formation osseuse indique très probablement une croissance réactivée comme une tentative pour réparer les lésions arthrosiques, plutôt qu'un processus de dégénération.

Multiscale bone quality analysis in osteoarthritic knee joints reveal a role of the mechanosensory osteocyte network in osteophytes

“…With continuing growth, osteophytes can limit the range of motion for the patient in the later stage of OA (Kellgren-Lawrence stage [3][4]. Specifically, osteophytes develop in response to joint instability [13][14][15] and have been interpreted as an attempt to counteract the effects of osteoarthritic lesions 16 . Within this line of thought, it has been theorized that osteophytes form initially to stabilize the OA joint 17 .…”

Stereologic Analysis of Tibial-Plateau Cartilage and Femoral Cancellous Bone in Guinea Pigs With Spontaneous Osteoarthritis

“…These changes have a direct biomechanical impact on the overlying cartilage layer, decreasing its stiffness and thereby compromising its ability to absorb mechanical shocks. The increase in the vascularity of the subchondral bone, which is another consequence of its remodeling, will influence all tissues of the joint and may play a role in the formation of osteophytes [13,29].…”

Laparoscopic resection of an exostosis of the os pubis in a horse

“…The underlying cause appears to be instability of the pubic symphyseal joint due to repeated microtrauma of the stabilizing ligaments of the pubic bones, imbalance of the adductor musculature, previous groin trauma, or reduced hip range of motion . Osteophyte formation may be understood as a repair mechanism or as an attempt to provide joint stability . The discipline this horse was used for demanded a great amount of hindleg propulsion, so the horse may have suffered from high biomechanical impact and stress in the pelvic region.…”

“…20 Osteophyte formation may be understood as a repair mechanism or as an attempt to provide joint stability. 21,22 The discipline this horse was used for demanded a great amount of hindleg propulsion, so the horse may have suffered from high biomechanical impact and stress in the pelvic region. This may have led to instability of the symphysis, triggering osteophyte formation.…”