Osteoarthritis across the Species

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic progressive degenerative disease of synovial joints that leads to articular cartilage erosions, osteophyte formation, subchondral bone sclerosis and porosity, synovial hyperplasia and capsular fibrosis. The clinical outcome is pain and a reduction of function. OA has a diverse etiology, the mechanisms of the disease are highly complex and it's trajectory is variable. Interesting insights into the pathobiology of OA are provided by studies of both naturally occurring and experimental OA in various species. Biomechanical stresses, inflammation and deficient joint repair mechanisms act in concert to yield the OA phenotype.