Osteoarthritis is a whole joint disease including: cartilage, synovial tissue, subchondral bone, ligaments, muscles, and tendons. Cartilage is the main target tissue of the disease. Mechanical stress is a key regulator in osteoarthritis development and progression. Inflammation is a key regulator in osteoarthritis development and progression. The weight of genetic factors, mechanical stress, inflammation, and hormonal status is variable from a joint to another.
Copyright © 2010. Published by Elsevier Masson SAS.