26th January 2024

Pathophysiology 

OA is a clinical syndrome characterised by joint pain, which causes varying degrees of functional limitation and a reduced quality of life. It is a disorder of synovial joints, which occurs when joint damage caused by repeated excessive loading or injury triggers a repair process, culminating in structural changes to the joint. These structural changes can lead to characteristic features of OA, including localised loss of cartilage, remodelling of adjacent bone and formation of osteophytes, and inflammation of the synovial membranes. Periarticular damage can also lead to capsular stretching, muscle weakness and ligament laxity. Any synovial joint can be affected, but the most commonly affected peripheral joints are the knees, followed by hips and small joints of the hands.