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Home / Equine Research Bank / Equine Vet J / The role of subchondral bone in joint disease: a review.
Equine veterinary journal2001; 33(2); 120-126; doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.2001.tb00589.x

The role of subchondral bone in joint disease: a review.

Abstract: Subchondral bone plays a role in the pathogenesis of osteochondral damage and osteoarthritis in horses and humans. Osteochondral fragmentation and fracture, subchondral bone necrosis and osteoarthritis are common diseases in athletic horses, and subchondral bone is now thought to play an integral role in the pathogenesis of these diseases. There have been numerous research efforts focused on articular cartilage damage and its pathogenesis, yet comparatively little effort focused on subchondral bone pathology or the coordinated disease states of the osteochondral tissues. The purpose of this report is to review the current understanding of osteochondral disease in all species and its application to equine research and practice. It can be concluded from this review that our current understanding of osteochondral disease is based on clinical and pathological sources; and that the lack of information about joint tissue adaptation and disease has hampered objective studies of osteochondral tissues.
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Publication Date: 2001-03-27 PubMed ID: 11266060DOI: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.2001.tb00589.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article
  • Research Support
  • Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The research paper reviews the relationship between subchondral bone and joint diseases that affect humans and horses. It highlights the role the subchondral bone plays in osteochondral damage, osteoarthritis, and related diseases.

Overview of the Study

  • The study posits subchondral bone, the layer of bone just under the cartilage of a joint, as playing a significant role in the development and progression of osteochrondal damage and osteoarthritis. These conditions commonly occur in athletic horses but also affect humans.
  • Historically, most research has been focused on articular cartilage damage and its pathogenesis, with insufficient attention going towards complications associated with the subchondral bone or the interaction between these two joint tissues.

Objective of the Study

  • The research aims to compile more information about how diseases of the osteochondral tissues develop across species. It emphasizes on bridging this knowledge gap to eventually apply the findings to practices that concern equine health.

Findings and Conclusion

  • Our current understanding of osteochondral disease has mostly drawn from clinical and pathological sources, implying that our knowledge is linked to what is observable during clinical practice or in diseased tissues, rather than comprehensive studies on joint tissue adaptation and disease.
  • The paper concludes that the lack of substantial information in the field has hindered objective studies that aim to explore disease progression in the osteochondral tissues. In other words, the absence of foundational knowledge about the normal adaptive processes and disease progression in joint tissues restricts the exploration and understanding of the diseases affecting these tissues.

Cite This Article

APA
Kawcak CE, McIlwraith CW, Norrdin RW, Park RD, James SP. (2001). The role of subchondral bone in joint disease: a review. Equine Vet J, 33(2), 120-126. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2042-3306.2001.tb00589.x

Publication

Equine veterinary journal
ISSN: 0425-1644
NlmUniqueID: 0173320
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 33
Issue: 2
Pages: 120-126

Researcher Affiliations

Kawcak, C E
  • Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins 80523, USA.
McIlwraith, C W
    Norrdin, R W
      Park, R D
        James, S P

          MeSH Terms

          • Animals
          • Cartilage Diseases / etiology
          • Cartilage Diseases / pathology
          • Cartilage Diseases / veterinary
          • Cartilage, Articular
          • Horse Diseases / etiology
          • Horse Diseases / pathology
          • Horses
          • Humans
          • Osteoarthritis / etiology
          • Osteoarthritis / pathology
          • Osteoarthritis / veterinary

          Citations

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