Is it possible that the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis could start with subchondral trabecular bone loss like osteoporosis?

Abstract

Objectives: This study aims to investigate the role of subchondral trabecular bone thickness in the mechanism of knee osteoarthritis and the correlation of osteoarthritis and osteoporosis pathogenesis.

Patients and methods: The study included 62 patients (9 males, 53 females; mean age 66.7 years; range, 50 to 84 years) with osteoarthritis. All radiographs were evaluated according to Kellgren and Lawrence classification. The bone mineral density of the patients was measured and bone samples were collected from all patients included in the study during the surgical procedure and investigated pathologically.

Results: Osteoarthritis grade and trabecular bone thickness were correlated with each other. Trabecular thickness rate was higher in patients with severe osteoarthritis, whereas trabecular thickness rate was statistically significantly lower than the mean in patients with mild osteoarthritis (p=0.045).

Conclusion: Trabecular thickness rate was significantly lower in the mild grade of osteoarthritis compared to the severe grade. As the level of osteoarthritis increased, the number of patients with osteoporosis decreased.