Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 10, 2026

Tissue Collection and RNA Extraction from the Human Osteoarthritic Knee Joint
Published on: July 22, 2021
Osteoarthritis
Joseph A Buckwalter1, James A Martin
1University of Iowa Department of Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA. joseph.buckwalter@uiowa.edu
Abstract:
Osteoarthritis (OA), the syndrome of joint pain and dysfunction caused by joint degeneration, affects more people than any other joint disease. In most instances joint degeneration develops in the absence of an identifiable cause, but increasing age, excessive joint loading, and joint abnormalities and insults increase the risk of OA. Articular surface contact stress that causes tissue damage and compromises that ability of chondrocytes to maintain and restore the tissue has an important role in the development of joint degeneration Current methods of attempting to restore an articular surface in osteoarthritic joints include penetrating subchondral bone, altering joint loading, osteotomies and insertion of soft tissue grafts. Dramatic advances in the prevention and treatment of OA are likely to stem from better understanding of the role of mechanical forces in the initiation and progression of joint degeneration.
Related Concept Videos
Knee Joint
A total of seven ligaments support the knee joint. The patellar ligament, which is also attached to the quadriceps femoris group...
Ankle Joint
Osteoclasts in Bone Remodeling
Structural Joints: Synovial Joints
Functional Classification of Joints
The functional classification of joints is determined by the amount of mobility between the adjacent bones. Joints are functionally classified as a synarthrosis or immobile joint, an amphiarthrosis or slightly moveable joint, or as a diarthrosis, a freely moveable joint. Fibrous and cartilaginous joints can be functionally classified as either synarthroses or amphiarthroses, whereas all synovial joints are classified as diarthroses.
Synarthrosis
An immobile...
Bone Disorders
Bone deposition is also affected by the levels of sex hormones like estrogen and testosterone that promote osteoblast activity and bone matrix synthesis. When the level of these hormones decreases due to aging, it causes a reduction in bone deposition. As a result, bone resorption by osteoclasts...