Britannica
Sources used in this answer
How does cartilage change during osteoarthritis?
Created from Britannica articles
using AI.
AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
arthritis
Learn about prosthetic jaw joint replacements and how that technology can be used for hip, shoulder, and spinal joint replacements.
During osteoarthritis, the articular cartilage that cushions joints undergoes progressive deterioration due to an imbalance between tissue breakdown and repair.12
The process typically involves the following changes:
- Early Stages: The cartilage experiences changes in thickness and loses its water-retaining capacity, becoming softened and roughened. Small cracks may develop perpendicular to the joint surface.12
- Progression: As the condition advances, the cartilage erodes and eventually wears away entirely. This loss of the protective cartilaginous cover exposes the underlying subchondral bone.12
- Structural Consequences: The degradation of cartilage leads to painful bone-on-bone contact. In response to the loss of this protective layer, the subchondral bone may undergo remodeling, resulting in increased bone density, the formation of bone cysts, and the development of bony outgrowths known as osteophytes or bone spurs.12
These changes restrict joint movement, integrity, and stability, often resulting in pain, stiffness, and a limitation in range of motion.12