Ding R, Zhang N, Wang Q, Wang W. Alterations of the Subchondral Bone in Osteoarthritis: Complying with Wolff's law.
Curr Rheumatol Rev 2022;
18:178-185. [PMID:
35366779 DOI:
10.2174/1573397118666220401104428]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2021] [Revised: 01/13/2022] [Accepted: 01/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Osteoarthritis (OA) is a whole joint disease that is significantly related to abnormal mechanical loads. Subchondral bone alterations, during the evolution course of OA, are considered as a reflection of adaptation of the bone tissue to mechanical loads. However, some of these alterations are taken as detriment and paradoxical. What are these structure, composition, and mechanical property alterations or mechanical functions for are not quite clear. In this review, we evaluate the possibility that these alterations are used for maintaining joint function. With taking excessive load as a risk factor and under conditions of articular cartilage gradually loss its thickness and its function of evenly distributing load on subchondral bone plate, and applying poroelasticity. Moreover, Boussinesq's pressure bulb theory and bone optimal design principles are utilized for bone mechanics. We found that each subchondral bone alteration has its unique mechanical function in resisting loads and maintaining joint function, and these alterations comply with both bone optimal design principles and Wolff's law within a proper range.
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