MSK 22 – What is Osteoarthritis?

Osteoarthritis of the hip joint. Right side worse than the left with a loss of joint space + subchondral sclerosis and geodes.
Remodelling is also present in the hip joint.

Case courtesy of Dr Frank Gaillard, Radiopaedia.org. From the case rID: 35875

so, What is osteoarthritis?

OA is characterised by the loss of cartilage in synovial joints leading to changes in the periarticular bone.¹ Interestingly there’s more evidence of an inflammatory component to it’s pathology rather than just purely wear-and-tear.

Interesting and important fact:

Only advanced damaged from OA show up on X-rays.¹ Other investigations such as arthroscopy and MRI may be able to show damage in earlier stages.

For more information Listen to the episode:

 

 

References:

1. Kumar P, Clark M (eds.) Clinical medicine. 7th ed. Edinburgh: Elsevier Saunders; 2009. p.518-521.

Additional Reading:

• Management of Osteoarthritis – by Australian Prescriber