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Updated: Jun 23, 2026
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Software-Assisted Quantitative Measurement of Osteoarthritic Subchondral Bone Thickness
Published on: March 18, 2022
Correlates of subchondral BMD: a cross-sectional study
Dawn Dore1, Stephen Quinn, Changhai Ding
1Menzies Research Institute, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Australia. Dawn.Dore@utas.edu.au
Summary
Subchondral bone density is linked to various factors including age, BMI, and physical activity. Cartilage defects represent a novel association with subchondral bone density, warranting further investigation.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedics
- Radiology
- Bone Metabolism
Background:
- Subchondral bone plays a crucial role in osteoarthritis (OA) development and progression.
- Determinants of subchondral bone health remain largely unknown.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between tibial subchondral bone mineral density (sBMD) and anthropometric, lifestyle, and structural measures in a randomly selected cohort.
- To identify factors associated with subchondral bone density in the context of osteoarthritis.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study of 740 participants (mean age 62 years, 52% women).
- Medial tibial sBMD measured by DXA.
- Assessment of anthropometrics, vitamin D, daily steps, joint space narrowing (JSN), osteophytes, cartilage defects, cartilage volume, bone marrow lesions (BMLs) via X-ray and MRI, and hip/spine BMD by DXA.
Main Results:
- sBMD was negatively associated with age and female sex, and positively with BMI.
- Significant positive correlations found between sBMD and steps per day, osteophytes, JSN, cartilage defects, cartilage volume, BMLs, and hip/spine BMD.
- Vitamin D levels also correlated with sBMD in one region of interest.
Conclusions:
- Multiple factors are associated with tibial subchondral bone density.
- Cartilage defects emerged as a novel correlate of sBMD.
- Longitudinal studies are needed to establish causality.
