Osteophytes and osteoarthritis. Osteophyte Classification in Osteoarthritis: A New Histological Approach

28.07.202327.06.2023 by alexxlab

How are osteophytes classified in osteoarthritis. What is the significance of osteophyte formation in osteoarthritis. Why is a standardized classification system important for osteophyte research. What are the key features of the proposed histological classification.

Содержание

Understanding Osteophytes in Osteoarthritis

Osteophytes, commonly known as bone spurs, are a hallmark feature of osteoarthritis (OA). These bony outgrowths develop along the margins of joints affected by OA and play a significant role in the disease progression. To better understand the formation and impact of osteophytes, researchers have proposed a new histological classification system.

Are osteophytes simply a byproduct of OA or do they serve a purpose. While often considered a negative consequence of joint degeneration, some researchers suggest that osteophytes may actually be an attempt by the body to stabilize arthritic joints. This complex interplay between joint damage and repair mechanisms highlights the need for a more nuanced understanding of osteophyte formation in OA.

The Need for a Standardized Osteophyte Classification

Why is a standardized classification system crucial for osteophyte research. The lack of a unified approach to categorizing osteophytes has hindered the comparison of research findings across different studies. By establishing a common language for describing osteophyte types, researchers can more effectively collaborate and build upon each other’s work.

Can a histological classification system improve our understanding of OA progression. By providing a detailed framework for analyzing osteophyte structure and composition, this new classification approach may offer insights into the stages of OA development and potential therapeutic targets.

Benefits of Standardized Classification

Facilitates comparison of research findings
Enhances communication between researchers
Provides a foundation for developing targeted therapies
Aids in tracking disease progression

Methodology Behind the New Classification System

How did researchers develop this new histological classification for osteophytes. The study examined 94 osteophytes collected from the knee joints of 10 OA patients undergoing joint replacement surgery. Each osteophyte’s size and location within the joint was carefully documented through photography.

What techniques were used to analyze the osteophyte samples. The researchers employed a combination of histological staining methods to visualize the internal structure and composition of the osteophytes. This multi-faceted approach allowed for a comprehensive assessment of osteophyte characteristics.

Key Steps in Osteophyte Analysis

Collection of osteophyte samples during joint replacement surgery
Photo documentation of size and location
Histological preparation and staining
Microscopic examination of tissue structure
Classification based on observed features

Proposed Histological Classification of Osteophytes

What are the main categories in the proposed osteophyte classification system. Based on their histological analysis, the researchers identified three distinct types of osteophytes:

Type A: Cartilage-like osteophytes
Type B: Bone-like osteophytes
Type C: Mixed-type osteophytes

How do these osteophyte types differ in structure and composition. Type A osteophytes are characterized by a predominance of cartilaginous tissue, resembling the structure of articular cartilage. Type B osteophytes, in contrast, consist mainly of bone tissue with minimal cartilage coverage. Type C osteophytes represent an intermediate form, containing a mix of both cartilage and bone tissues.

Distinguishing Features of Osteophyte Types

Type	Primary Composition	Structural Characteristics
A	Cartilage	Thick cartilage cap, minimal bone formation
B	Bone	Extensive bone formation, thin cartilage layer
C	Mixed	Balanced combination of cartilage and bone tissues

Implications for Osteoarthritis Research and Treatment

How might this new classification system impact OA research and treatment strategies. By providing a more nuanced understanding of osteophyte formation and progression, this classification system could lead to several advancements in the field:

Improved assessment of disease severity and progression
Development of targeted therapies for specific osteophyte types
Enhanced ability to track treatment efficacy
Better understanding of the relationship between osteophyte formation and joint function

Could different osteophyte types respond differently to treatments. This is a key question that the new classification system may help answer. By identifying the specific type of osteophyte present in a patient’s joint, clinicians may be able to tailor treatments more effectively, potentially improving outcomes and reducing the need for invasive interventions.

The Role of Osteophytes in Joint Biomechanics

Do osteophytes always contribute to joint dysfunction, or can they sometimes play a beneficial role. This question has been debated among researchers, and the new classification system may provide insights. Some studies suggest that certain types of osteophytes may actually help stabilize arthritic joints, potentially slowing the progression of OA.

How do different osteophyte types affect joint mobility and function. The location, size, and composition of osteophytes can significantly impact joint biomechanics. For example:

Type A osteophytes, with their cartilage-like structure, may provide some cushioning effect
Type B osteophytes, being primarily bony, could contribute more to joint stiffness
Type C osteophytes might offer a balance between stability and flexibility

Understanding these nuances could lead to more personalized approaches to managing OA, taking into account the specific types of osteophytes present in each patient’s joints.

Future Directions in Osteophyte Research

What are the next steps in advancing our understanding of osteophytes in OA. With this new classification system in place, researchers can now explore several promising avenues:

Investigating the molecular mechanisms driving the formation of each osteophyte type
Exploring the relationship between osteophyte types and OA progression rates
Developing imaging techniques to non-invasively identify osteophyte types
Studying the potential for targeted therapies to modulate osteophyte formation

Could osteophyte classification become a routine part of OA diagnosis and treatment planning. As our understanding of the role of osteophytes in OA grows, it’s possible that assessing osteophyte types could become a standard component of OA management. This could lead to more personalized treatment strategies and improved patient outcomes.

Potential Applications of Osteophyte Classification

Refining OA staging and prognosis
Guiding the selection of conservative vs. surgical interventions
Developing novel pharmacological treatments targeting specific osteophyte types
Enhancing the design of joint prosthetics and other orthopedic devices

Challenges in Implementing the New Classification System

What obstacles might researchers and clinicians face in adopting this new osteophyte classification? While the proposed system offers significant potential benefits, several challenges need to be addressed:

Standardizing histological analysis techniques across different laboratories
Developing non-invasive imaging methods to classify osteophytes in living patients
Integrating osteophyte classification into existing OA assessment protocols
Training healthcare professionals to accurately identify and categorize osteophyte types

How can these challenges be overcome to maximize the impact of the new classification system? Collaborative efforts between researchers, clinicians, and imaging specialists will be crucial. Developing standardized protocols, investing in advanced imaging technologies, and providing comprehensive training programs can help ensure the widespread adoption and effective implementation of this new approach to osteophyte classification.

Osteophytes and Personalized Medicine in Osteoarthritis

Can osteophyte classification contribute to the development of personalized medicine approaches for OA? The unique characteristics of different osteophyte types may provide valuable insights into individual patients’ disease processes and potential treatment responses. This information could be used to tailor interventions more precisely, potentially improving outcomes and reducing unnecessary treatments.

How might osteophyte classification influence treatment decisions in OA management? Consider the following scenarios:

Patients with predominantly Type A osteophytes might benefit more from cartilage-preserving therapies
Those with Type B osteophytes could require interventions focused on managing bone remodeling
Individuals with Type C osteophytes may need a balanced approach addressing both cartilage and bone health

By incorporating osteophyte classification into clinical decision-making, healthcare providers could offer more targeted and effective treatments for OA patients.

Potential Personalized Treatment Strategies

Osteophyte Type	Potential Treatment Focus
Type A	Cartilage protection and regeneration therapies
Type B	Bone remodeling modulators and joint stabilization techniques
Type C	Combination therapies addressing both cartilage and bone health

The Intersection of Osteophyte Research and Emerging OA Therapies

How might the new osteophyte classification system influence the development of novel OA treatments? As researchers gain a deeper understanding of the different osteophyte types and their roles in OA progression, this knowledge could inform the design of more targeted therapeutic approaches. Some potential areas of impact include:

Development of drugs that selectively inhibit or promote specific types of osteophyte formation
Creation of biomaterials that mimic the beneficial aspects of certain osteophyte types
Refinement of joint preservation surgical techniques based on osteophyte characteristics
Advancement of regenerative medicine approaches tailored to different osteophyte profiles

Could osteophyte classification help identify new therapeutic targets in OA? By analyzing the molecular and cellular processes involved in the formation of different osteophyte types, researchers may uncover novel pathways and mechanisms that could serve as targets for future OA treatments. This could potentially lead to breakthroughs in disease-modifying therapies for OA, a field that has faced significant challenges in recent years.

Emerging Research Areas in Osteophyte-Targeted Therapies

Selective inhibition of pathological osteophyte formation
Promotion of beneficial osteophyte types for joint stabilization
Modulation of osteophyte composition to enhance joint function
Development of osteophyte-responsive smart biomaterials for joint repair

As research in this area progresses, it’s likely that our understanding of osteophytes in OA will continue to evolve, potentially reshaping approaches to diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of this common and debilitating condition.

Differentiation of osteophyte types in osteoarthritis – proposal of a histological classification

. 2016 Jan;83(1):63-7.

doi: 10.1016/j.jbspin.2015.04.008.

Epub 2015 Jun 12.

Susann Junker¹, Grit Krumbholz¹, Klaus W Frommer¹, Stefan Rehart², Jürgen Steinmeyer³, Markus Rickert⁴, Georg Schett⁵, Ulf Müller-Ladner¹, Elena Neumann⁶

Affiliations

¹ Department of Internal Medicine and Rheumatology, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Kerckhoff-Klinik Benekestraße 2-8, 61231 Bad Nauheim, Germany.
² Department of Orthopaedics and Orthopaedic Surgery, Markus Hospital, 60431 Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
³ Department of Orthopedics, Justus-Liebig-University of Giessen, 35390 Giessen, Germany.
⁴ Department of Orthopedics and Orthopedic Surgery, Justus-Liebig-University of Giessen, 35390 Giessen, Germany.
⁵ Department of Internal Medicine 3, University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, 91054 Erlangen, Germany.
⁶ Department of Internal Medicine and Rheumatology, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Kerckhoff-Klinik Benekestraße 2-8, 61231 Bad Nauheim, Germany. Electronic address: [email protected].

PMID:
26076655
DOI:
10.1016/j.jbspin.2015.04.008

Susann Junker et al.

Joint Bone Spine.

2016 Jan.

. 2016 Jan;83(1):63-7.

doi: 10.1016/j.jbspin.2015.04.008.

Epub 2015 Jun 12.

Authors

Susann Junker¹, Grit Krumbholz¹, Klaus W Frommer¹, Stefan Rehart², Jürgen Steinmeyer³, Markus Rickert⁴, Georg Schett⁵, Ulf Müller-Ladner¹, Elena Neumann⁶

Affiliations

¹ Department of Internal Medicine and Rheumatology, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Kerckhoff-Klinik Benekestraße 2-8, 61231 Bad Nauheim, Germany.
² Department of Orthopaedics and Orthopaedic Surgery, Markus Hospital, 60431 Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
³ Department of Orthopedics, Justus-Liebig-University of Giessen, 35390 Giessen, Germany.
⁴ Department of Orthopedics and Orthopedic Surgery, Justus-Liebig-University of Giessen, 35390 Giessen, Germany.
⁵ Department of Internal Medicine 3, University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, 91054 Erlangen, Germany.
⁶ Department of Internal Medicine and Rheumatology, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Kerckhoff-Klinik Benekestraße 2-8, 61231 Bad Nauheim, Germany. Electronic address: [email protected].

PMID:
26076655
DOI:
10.1016/j.jbspin.2015.04.008

Abstract

Objective:

Osteoarthritis is not only characterized by cartilage degradation but also involves subchondral bone remodeling and osteophyte formation. Osteophytes are fibrocartilage-capped bony outgrowths originating from the periosteum. The pathophysiology of osteophyte formation is not completely understood. Yet, different research approaches are under way. Therefore, a histological osteophyte classification to achieve comparable results in osteophyte research was established for application to basic science research questions.

Methods:

The osteophytes were collected from knee joints of osteoarthritis patients (n=10, 94 osteophytes in total) after joint replacement surgery. Their size and origin in the respective joint were photo-documented. To develop an osteophyte classification, serial tissue sections were evaluated using histological (hematoxylin and eosin, Masson’s trichrome, toluidine blue) and immunohistochemical staining (collagen type II).

Results:

Based on the histological and immunohistochemical evaluation, osteophytes were categorized into four different types depending on the degree of ossification and the percentage of mesenchymal connective tissue. Size and localization of osteophytes were independent from the histological stages.

Conclusion:

This histological classification system of osteoarthritis osteophytes provides a helpful tool for analyzing and monitoring osteophyte development and for characterizing osteophyte types within a single human joint and may therefore contribute to achieve comparable results when analyzing histological findings in osteophytes.

Keywords:

Basic science; Histological classification; Osteoarthritis; Osteophytes.

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Osteoarthritis

Identification of the skeletal progenitor cells forming osteophytes in osteoarthritis

http://orcid.org/0000-0001-8993-1984Anke J Roelofs1,
Karolina Kania1,
Alexandra J Rafipay1,
Meike Sambale2,
Stephanie T Kuwahara3,
Fraser L Collins1,
Joanna Smeeton3,4,
Maxwell A Serowoky3,
Lynn Rowley5,
Hui Wang1,
René Gronewold2,
Chrysa Kapeni6,
Simón Méndez-Ferrer6,
http://orcid. org/0000-0002-0353-7634Christopher B Little7,
http://orcid.org/0000-0001-8542-0730John F Bateman5,8,
Thomas Pap2,
http://orcid.org/0000-0003-1619-8763Francesca V Mariani3,
Joanna Sherwood2,
http://orcid.org/0000-0002-3209-0026J Gage Crump3,
http://orcid.org/0000-0002-5113-862XCosimo De Bari1

¹
Arthritis and Regenerative Medicine Laboratory, Aberdeen Centre for Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Health, Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
²
Institute of Musculoskeletal Medicine, University Hospital Munster, Munster, Germany
³
Eli and Edythe Broad CIRM Center for Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research, Department of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine, Los Angeles, California, USA
⁴
Department of Rehabilitation and Regenerative Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York, USA
⁵
Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
⁶
Wellcome Trust-Medical Research Council Cambridge Stem Cell Institute and Department of Haematology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
⁷
Raymond Purves Bone and Joint Laboratories, Kolling Institute of Medical Research, The University of Sydney, St Leonards, New South Wales, Australia
⁸
Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Correspondence to
Professor Cosimo De Bari, Arthritis and Regenerative Medicine Laboratory, Aberdeen Centre for Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Health, Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen AB25 2ZD, UK; c. debari{at}abdn.ac.uk; Professor J Gage Crump, Eli and Edythe Broad CIRM Center for Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA 90033, United States; gcrump{at}usc.edu

Abstract

Objectives Osteophytes are highly prevalent in osteoarthritis (OA) and are associated with pain and functional disability. These pathological outgrowths of cartilage and bone typically form at the junction of articular cartilage, periosteum and synovium. The aim of this study was to identify the cells forming osteophytes in OA.

Methods Fluorescent genetic cell-labelling and tracing mouse models were induced with tamoxifen to switch on reporter expression, as appropriate, followed by surgery to induce destabilisation of the medial meniscus. Contributions of fluorescently labelled cells to osteophytes after 2 or 8 weeks, and their molecular identity, were analysed by histology, immunofluorescence staining and RNA in situ hybridisation. Pdgfrα-h3BGFP mice and Pdgfrα-CreER mice crossed with multicolour Confetti reporter mice were used for identification and clonal tracing of mesenchymal progenitors. Mice carrying Col2-CreER, Nes-CreER, LepR-Cre, Grem1-CreER, Gdf5-Cre, Sox9-CreER or Prg4-CreER were crossed with tdTomato reporter mice to lineage-trace chondrocytes and stem/progenitor cell subpopulations.

Results Articular chondrocytes, or skeletal stem cells identified by Nes, LepR or Grem1 expression, did not give rise to osteophytes. Instead, osteophytes derived from Pdgfrα-expressing stem/progenitor cells in periosteum and synovium that are descendants from the Gdf5-expressing embryonic joint interzone. Further, we show that Sox9-expressing progenitors in periosteum supplied hybrid skeletal cells to the early osteophyte, while Prg4-expressing progenitors from synovial lining contributed to cartilage capping the osteophyte, but not to bone.

Conclusion Our findings reveal distinct periosteal and synovial skeletal progenitors that cooperate to form osteophytes in OA. These cell populations could be targeted in disease modification for treatment of OA.

osteoarthritis
arthritis
experimental
fibroblasts
chondrocytes

http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/annrheumdis-2020-218350

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Footnotes

Handling editor Josef S Smolen
Twitter @littlecb5001, @Francesca Mariani @MarianiLabUSC
AJR and KK contributed equally.
Contributors AJRo: Conceptualisation, experimental design, data acquisition, analysis and interpretation, writing of the manuscript; KK: Experimental design, data acquisition, analysis and interpretation, contributed to writing of the manuscript; AJRa and FLC: Data acquisition, analysis and interpretation, contributed to writing of the manuscript. MSa and SK: Data acquisition, analysis and interpretation; JSm, MSe, LR and CBL: Data acquisition and analysis; HW, RG: Data acquisition; CK and SMF: Experimental design and data acquisition; FVM, TP and JFB: Conceptualisation, experimental design, data interpretation; JSh: Conceptualisation, experimental design, data acquisition, analysis and interpretation; JGC: Conceptualisation, experimental design, data acquisition, analysis and interpretation, contributed to writing of the manuscript; CDB: Conceptualisation, experimental design, data analysis and interpretation, writing of the manuscript.
Funding CDB, AJRo, KK, AJRa, FLC and HW were supported by funding from Versus Arthritis, formerly Arthritis Research UK (20775, 21156, 20050, 19429), and the Medical Research Council (MR/L020211/1). TP, JSh, MSa and RG were supported by funding from the Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung (BMBF) Overload-PrevOP consortium (01EC1408F) and the Innovative Medizinische Forschung (IMF) Programme of the University Hospital Münster (Project I-Sh221608). JGC, STK, JSm, MAS and FVM were supported by funding from the National Insitute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS: R01AR069700). JFB, LR and CBL were supported by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC: APP1063133), and part funding was provided to JFB by the Victorian Government‘s Operational Infrastructure Support Programme to the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute. CK and SMF were supported by funding from the Wellcome Trust (203151/Z/16/Z), Horizon2020 (ERC-2014-CoG-648765), Cancer Research UK (C61367/A26670) and NHS Blood and Transplant.
Competing interests None declared.
Patient and public involvement Patients and/or the public were not involved in the design, or conduct, or reporting, or dissemination plans of this research.
Patient consent for publication Not required.
Ethics approval All animal experimental protocols were approved by the UK Home Office and the Animal Welfare and Ethical Review Committees of the University of Aberdeen and University of Cambridge, the University of Southern California Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee, the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute Animal Ethics Committee, or the Animal Use Committee for University Hospital Münster.
Provenance and peer review Not commissioned; externally peer reviewed.
Data availability statement All data supporting the findings of this study are available within the Article and its online supplemental information files, or are available from the corresponding authors on reasonable request.

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What is osteoarthritis? – Clinic “Family Doctor”.

Osteoarthritis is a disease that affects all components of the joint: capsule, synovial membrane, cartilage, subchondral bone, ligaments, periarticular muscles.

Doctors call osteoarthritis degenerative joint disease or deforming arthrosis. Patients talk about arthrosis and salt deposition. However, there is no salt here. At the heart of the development of pathology is inflammation. Therefore, in recent years, the disease is increasingly referred to as osteoarthritis, emphasizing the inflammatory nature of the disease.

Prevalence of osteoarthritis

This is the most common joint disease in the world. According to statistics, every fifth inhabitant of the Earth suffers from osteoarthritis. The number of cases increases by a quarter every year. At the age of 30-40, every tenth person has radiographic signs of osteoarthritis, at 55-60 years old – in half, at 75 years old – in 80% of people. Sometimes osteoarthritis is found in young people.

Primary and secondary

Primary is a disease that develops on an intact joint.
Secondary osteoarthritis affects a joint after an injury or one in which there are already changes due to a congenital or acquired disease, metabolic or endocrine characteristics.

Mechanism of development of deforming arthrosis

A joint is a mobile connection of bones, the surfaces of which are lined with shiny and smooth cartilage. Outside, the joint is limited by a capsule, held by ligaments. Inside the joint bag is filled with synovial fluid. The complex design ensures painless and long-term operation of the joint even under heavy load.

Osteoarthritis begins with damage to chondrocytes – cartilage cells. Normally, they synthesize proteoglycans and collagen. In case of injury or illness, this process is disrupted. Defective chondrocytes produce defective collagen and small proteoglycans that cannot stay in the cartilage layer (matrix) go into the synovial fluid.

Altered proteoglycans attract water but do not retain it. Excess moisture absorbs collagen, causing it to swell and break into fibers.

Synovial fluid loses its transparency. Articular cartilage becomes dull, rough. It gradually becomes thinner and cannot play the role of an elastic pad.

The surface of the bone, which was previously protected by cartilage, is experiencing an increased load, compacted. Along the edges of the articular surfaces, bone and cartilage remnants grow compensatory, osteophytes – bone spikes – are formed rather quickly.

The work of the joint is difficult. The situation is complicated by the activation of inflammatory and autoimmune reactions. The capsule thickens, the mobility of the joint is sharply limited. This leads to atrophy of the corresponding muscles.

So small initial changes lead to catastrophic consequences. Without adequate treatment, a person is at risk of disability.

What causes osteoarthritis

Age . The disease is typical for people over 50 years of age. Over the years, the synthesis of proteoglycans and the hydrophilicity of tissues decrease. Joint cartilage loses elasticity, gradually loses the ability to self-repair after microdamage. As a result, the cartilage becomes thinner, and the joint becomes sensitive even to the usual loads.
Belonging to the female sex. Women are affected twice as often as men. Pathology develops with estrogen deficiency – after gynecological operations or during menopause.
Hereditary predisposition . The likelihood of developing the disease is twice as high if the family has relatives suffering from osteoarthritis, 3.5 times higher if they have Heberden’s and Bouchard’s nodules (thickening of the finger joints due to hard bone outgrowths characteristic of deforming arthrosis).
Joint injury or surgery . The integrity of the individual structures of the joint, the nutrition of the cartilage is violated. The process of development of arthrosis is started.
Physical overload . Sports and some occupational activities involve heavy lifting, standing for long periods, or stereotyped movements that put stress on the joints. Articular cartilage wears out, which gradually leads to arthrosis.
Overweight . Increases the load on the supporting joints: hip and knee. Overweight women suffer from osteoarthritis four times more often than normal women.
Previous diseases of the joints, as well as chronic diseases: diabetes mellitus, gout and others, disrupt metabolic processes, worsen the nutrition of cartilage. This leads to its rapid wear even with normal stress on the joints.

Which joints are affected by osteoarthritis?

The hip and knee joints are most often affected, as they experience the greatest load. In second place is the first metatarsophalangeal joint. The third place is shared by the distal and proximal interphalangeal joints of the upper extremities (those same “bumps” appear on the fingers).

Usually arthrosis first affects one joint, then – symmetrical to it. Subsequently, the disease covers other joints. In this case, they speak of polyosteoarthritis.

The main manifestations of osteoarthritis

Pain . At first, it is so insignificant that a person does not pay attention to it. The intensity of pain increases gradually and only after a few years becomes pronounced, acquiring characteristic features.

Starting pain – at the beginning of the movement increases, then disappears.

Mechanical pain – with a load on the joint, disappears after rest.

The night pain is drawing, dull, exhausting. In the morning, after the start of the movement, it passes.

Referred pain may occur outside the area of the diseased joint.

Morning stiffness . Manifested by stiffness of the diseased joint. Disappears after a few movements of the limb. Never lasts more than half an hour.
“Jamming” joint” . Sudden blockage of the joint, accompanied by sharp pain. Occurs when a fragment of cartilage tissue is infringed by the articular surfaces. Disappears instantly with a certain movement of the joint.
“Crunch” in the joint during movement . Caused by structural changes in cartilage tissue.
Limited joint mobility . It is observed in long-term untreated osteoarthritis. Overgrown osteophytes do not allow the joint to move freely.
Reddening of the skin over the joint, swelling and increased local temperature are characteristic of reactive synovitis due to inflammation of the synovial membrane.
Joint deformity . Occurs with significant bone growths and changes in the periarticular tissues in advanced cases of osteoarthritis.

Stages of the disease

Initial. Slight changes in the synovial membrane. Joint overload is accompanied by pain.
Second. The cartilage starts to break down. osteophytes appear. Pain also occurs during normal exercise.
Third. Severe arthrosis. Pronounced bone deformity. Severe limitation of joint mobility. The pain bothers even at rest.

Diagnostics

Diagnosis of osteoarthritis is not difficult for an orthopedist or rheumatologist, who is able to prescribe a full examination of the patient.

Changes in the joint are confirmed by three studies:

1. Radiography;

2. Ultrasound;

3. MRI.

Often one of them is enough.

For therapeutic and diagnostic purposes, arthroscopy is used – endoscopy of the joint using a flexible probe. The doctor can see the joint from the inside, take synovial fluid for analysis, perform a minimally invasive intervention (for example, remove a bone fragment).

In most cases, blood counts are normal, signs of inflammation may be detected: an increase in the level of leukocytes, an acceleration of ESR.

Treatment of osteoarthritis

The disease is treated for a long time, continuously. Therapy cannot restore the joint to its original appearance, but it can slow the progression of the disease, reduce pain, restore joint mobility, and improve the patient’s quality of life.

Methods of treatment

Lifestyle correction with limiting excessive stress on the joints.
Complete nutrition rich in vitamins.
Anti-inflammatory therapy. In the form of injections, tablets, ointments – as prescribed by a doctor.
Chondroprotectors for cartilage restoration.
Physiotherapy. Simple exercises are connected immediately after the relief of pain. More complex, swimming – in remission.
Physiotherapy. More often they use magnetic, laser, infrared radiation, phono- and ultraphoresis.
Endoprosthetics. It is carried out in advanced cases, when it is not possible to restore joint mobility by other methods.

Prevention of osteoarthritis

If you suspect the development of osteoarthritis and after complex treatment, you must follow simple rules so that the remission is long and signs of arthrosis do not appear.

Complete nutrition without drastic diets.
Physical activity. Hiking, physiotherapy exercises, classes in the pool.
Weight normalization. Excess weight puts too much stress on the joints. A systematic decrease in body weight reduces the load on the legs.
Flat feet correction. Providing a proportional load on the joints and spine to prevent their deformation.
Timely treatment of concomitant diseases.

If you are concerned about your joints, contact the Family Doctor clinic. The clinic has been receiving patients for more than a quarter of a century. It has its own laboratory and modern diagnostic equipment. Qualified doctors work here to help get rid of pain, clicking and crunching in the joints. Osteoarthritis responds well to treatment if it is started on time. By taking regular courses of maintenance therapy, you can lead a normal life without experiencing joint pain.

Osteophytes of the spine – symptoms, causes, treatment

A neurologist treats this disease.

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Osteophytes – pathological growth of bone tissue or degeneration of ligament tissue, forming pointed spikes or growths along the edges of the segments of the spine. The development of pathology is facilitated by age-related degenerative changes, constant stress, overweight and a sedentary lifestyle. As consequences, a sick person is threatened with neurological complications, the occurrence of severe pain, loss of mobility and disability. For treatment, conservative and surgical methods are used. Consider what osteophytes or marginal bone growths of the vertebral bodies are, is it possible to stop the process and what treatment is effective.

CMRT specialist tells

Kuchenkov A.V.

Orthopedist • Traumatologist • Surgeon • Phlebologist • Sports doctor • 24 years of experience

Publication date: May 19, 2021

Verification date: January 11, 2023

All facts have been verified by a doctor.

Contents of the article

Causes of the formation of osteophytes

Symptoms

Pathology gives common and different symptoms depending on localization.

Osteophytes of the cervical spine – dizziness and headaches, ringing in the ears, pain radiating to the shoulders, arms.

Osteophytes of the thoracic spine – increased pain when sneezing, taking deep breaths or coughing.

Osteophytes of the lumbar spine – irradiation of pain in the buttocks, feet, impaired urination.

General symptoms include:

pain in the area of localization, aggravated by exertion, movement, turning
loss of mobility
progressive limb weakness

When the bone tissue grows, the spinal cord and blood vessels are compressed, the nerve conduction and nutrition of the damaged areas are disturbed, and neurological complications arise.

Classification and types

Osteophytes are classified according to localization, genesis, structure and form of outgrowths. According to the area of education, the following types are distinguished: anterior, posterior, anterolateral (beak-shaped) and posterolateral. The latter are dangerous when localized in the cervical region – with growth or dorsal protrusion of the disc, they affect the spinal cord and nerve endings.

Depending on the cause, the following types are distinguished:

Periosteal processes arising after inflammation of the periosteum.
Post-traumatic
Degenerative-dystrophic
Massive – formed as a result of bone tissue tumors
Marginal osteophytes often occur with constant tension of certain muscle groups, coracoid – as a compensatory reaction in a number of diseases that cause instability of the vertebral bodies.

How to diagnose

Diagnosis consists of a detailed and neurological examination to assess the sensitivity of the nerve roots, to detect compression.

Apparatus diagnostics includes:

radiography – the initial stage of detecting osteophytes
electroneuromyography (ENMG) is done to determine the state of the peripheral nervous system
MRI to detail bone structures, cartilage and adjacent muscle tissue, nerve fibers and blood vessels 900 18
CT will show the texture and density of bone tissue, the condition of the processes of the vertebrae, any damage, tumors and pathological changes

Comprehensive examination will help to make a complete clinical picture and develop adequate treatment measures.

Osteophytes and osteoarthritis. Osteophyte Classification in Osteoarthritis: A New Histological Approach

Understanding Osteophytes in Osteoarthritis

The Need for a Standardized Osteophyte Classification

Benefits of Standardized Classification

Methodology Behind the New Classification System

Key Steps in Osteophyte Analysis

Proposed Histological Classification of Osteophytes

Distinguishing Features of Osteophyte Types

Implications for Osteoarthritis Research and Treatment

The Role of Osteophytes in Joint Biomechanics

Future Directions in Osteophyte Research

Potential Applications of Osteophyte Classification

Challenges in Implementing the New Classification System

Osteophytes and Personalized Medicine in Osteoarthritis

Potential Personalized Treatment Strategies

The Intersection of Osteophyte Research and Emerging OA Therapies

Emerging Research Areas in Osteophyte-Targeted Therapies

Differentiation of osteophyte types in osteoarthritis – proposal of a histological classification

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What is osteoarthritis? – Clinic “Family Doctor”.

Prevalence of osteoarthritis

Mechanism of development of deforming arthrosis

Diagnostics

Osteophytes of the spine – symptoms, causes, treatment

Contents of the article

Causes of the formation of osteophytes

Symptoms

Classification and types

How to diagnose

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