#16 ?? OA On The WarPath – Part I

by Joey Bose and Gaetano Scuderi, MD

Osteoarthritis (OA), often perceived as mere joint wear-and-tear, is far more complex. At its heart lies cartilage, the cushion enabling smooth joint movement. Over time, this cushion deteriorates, causing bones to rub together, leading to pain, swelling, and reduced motion. This condition involves not just the thinning of cartilage but also inflammation of the joint lining, changes in the underlying bone, and the weakening of ligaments and tendons. Understanding osteoarthritis goes beyond seeing it as simple degeneration, recognizing it as a dynamic interplay of stress and biological reactions within the joint. It’s a narrative science aims to change, seeking treatments that do more than ease symptoms but potentially halt or reverse the disease’s effects.?

Let’s dive in.

?? Healthy Joint vs. Osteoarthritis

The joint anatomy is characterized by several key structures, all of which are affected by osteoarthritis (OA):

?? Subchondral Bone: The foundation layer beneath the cartilage, providing structural support to the joint.

?? Growth Plate: Area of growing tissue near the ends of long bones in children and adolescents.

?? Articular Cartilage: The smooth, lubricating surface at the end of bones, allowing easy movement within the joint.

?? Synovial Membrane: The tissue lining the joint capsule, producing synovial fluid for lubrication.

?? Multi-faceted Impact of OA

?? Articular Cartilage Erosion: The smooth, white tissue that covers the ends of bones where they come together to form joints is worn away, leading to a roughened, eroded surface in OA.

?? Abnormal Angiogenesis: There’s an increase in the formation of new blood vessels in the joint tissues where they are not normally present, which can contribute to inflammation and pain.

?? Synovial Inflammation: The synovial membrane becomes inflamed, leading to joint pain, swelling, and the production of inflammatory substances that can further degrade the cartilage.

?? Subchondral Bone Disturbance: Changes occur in the bone beneath the cartilage, including stiffening and thickening (sclerosis), as well as the formation of bony outgrowths (osteophytes), which can cause joint pain and limit movement.

?? Ligaments and Tendons Instability: The supporting structures around the joint, such as ligaments and tendons, may become less stable as the disease progresses, affecting joint function and alignment.

?? Joint Stiffness: The combination of cartilage degradation, bone changes, and inflammation can lead to stiffness and reduced mobility in the joint.

?? Next Up

In our next edition, we will discuss what happens on a molecular level that drives these dangerous, deleterious changes. An expert understanding of this molecular pathophysiology is what allowed Cytonics to develop our flagship OA therapy, the Autologous Protease Inhibitor Concentrate therapy, and is leading to the success of our novel pharmaceutical solution in clinical studies.

Stay tuned!

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