Subchondral bone remodelling in osteoarthritis (OA) is biphasic and spatially variable. Early-stage disease is associated with bone loss owing to increased bone remodelling. As disease progresses, the remodelling rate slows down leading to densification of the subchondral plate and complete loss of cartilage. In this article, Burr and Gallant review the current knowledge on OA and discuss the role of subchondral bone in the initiation and progression of disease. They also present a hypothetical model of OA pathogenesis.
- David B. Burr
- Maxime A. Gallant
