What is OA?

Result of both mechanical and biological events destabilize normal coupling of degradation and synthesis of articular cartilage and subchondral bone, involves all tissues of diarthrodial joint, changes in cells and matrix lead to softening, fibrillation, ulceration, and loss of articular cartilage, sclerosis and eburnation of subchondral bone. It is characterized by joint pain, tenderness, limitation of motion, crepitus, occasional effusion, local inflammation. Most common chronic joint disorder, burden and healthcare expenditure enormous, 4th leading cause of years lived with disability, increasing due to obesity and overall aging of population, disease of whole joint organ, optimal management risk strat and early dx on clinical grounds.