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Software-Assisted Quantitative Measurement of Osteoarthritic Subchondral Bone Thickness
Published on: March 18, 2022
Should subchondral bone turnover be targeted when treating osteoarthritis?
M A Karsdal1, D J Leeming, E B Dam
1Nordic Bioscience A/S, Herlev, Denmark. mk@nordicbioscience.com
Osteoarthritis and Cartilage
|March 26, 2008
Summary
Osteoarthritis (OA) treatment may require targeting both bone and cartilage. Bone changes significantly impact cartilage health, suggesting a dual-approach is necessary for effective OA management.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedics
- Rheumatology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Osteoarthritis (OA) is a leading cause of disability in the elderly.
- It affects the entire joint, including bone and cartilage.
- Current treatments often focus on cartilage, but bone health is increasingly recognized as crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review emerging evidence on bone-cartilage interactions in OA.
- To explore the role of bone changes in OA progression.
- To assess the potential for bone-targeted therapies in OA treatment.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review of PubMed articles up to June 2007.
- Inclusion of abstracts from OsteoArthritis Research Society International (OARSI) conferences (2000-2007).
Main Results:
- Strong association between bone and cartilage health in OA.
- Evidence of increased subchondral bone turnover, thinning, osteophytes, and sclerosis in OA.
- Suppression of bone resorption positively impacts cartilage health, while increased resorption worsens it.
Conclusions:
- Optimal OA treatment likely requires targeting both bone and cartilage.
- Developing safe, effective treatments targeting multiple cellular systems presents challenges.
