Degenerative Joint Disease/Osteoarthritis
Different abnormalities found in contact and no contact areas of the affected parts of the joint.
High pressure contact areas joint space loss, subchondral bone sclerosis, cyst formation
No contact areas osteophytes
Osteophyte (spur) formation at joint margins; eburnation; subchondral cysts and/or bone sclerosis; joint fragments; joint collapse; deformity; uneven joint space narrowing.
Cyst formation – fundamental radiographic finding – 2-20mm in diameter; may or may not communicate with joint space
Later in disease, subchondral bone weakens and compresses see collapse on x-ray
Osteophytes – seen in less stressed areas; mushroom shaped bony outgrowths at margins of joints; capped by cartilage that gradually ossify; may be smooth or jagged; growth of osteophytes is good predictor of disease progression;
Confident of diagnosis of osteoarthritis when have joint space narrowing, subchondral sclerosis and osteophyte formation.
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