Degenerative Joint Disease/Osteoarthritis

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.