The role of subchondral bone in joint disease: a review

Subchondral bone plays a role in the pathogenesis of osteochondral damage and osteoarthritis in horses and humans. Osteochondral fragmentation and fracture, subchondral bone necrosis and osteoarthritis are common diseases in athletic horses, and subchondral bone is now thought to play an integral role in the pathogenesis of these diseases. There have been numerous research efforts focused on articular cartilage damage and its pathogenesis, yet comparatively little effort focused on subchondral bone pathology or the coordinated disease states of the osteochondral tissues. The purpose of this report is to review the current understanding of osteochondral disease in all species and its application to equine research and practice. It can be concluded from this review that our current understanding of osteochondral disease is based on clinical and pathological sources; and that the lack of information about joint tissue adaptation and disease has hampered objective studies of osteochondral tissues.