title: Etiopathogenesis of osteoarthritis.
abstract: In this article, the authors posit that, because osteoarthritis (OA) involves all of the tissues of the synovial joint, the emphasis on the loss of cartilage, in particular, is misguided. In contrast, the authors view OA as a process that is attempting to contain a mechanical problem in the joint. They argue that OA is best defined as failed repair of damage that has been caused by excessive mechanical stress on joint tissues. Because the body's innate mechanisms for repairing the damaged tissues cannot be effective in the face of the overwhelming mechanical abnormality, they cannot solve the problem of OA.
authors.affiliation: Kansas University Medical Center, 5755 Windsor Drive, Fairway, Kansas City, KS 66205, USA. kenbrandt@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Kenneth D
authors.initials: KD
authors.lastname: Brandt
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Dieppe
authors.forename: Eric L
authors.initials: EL
authors.lastname: Radin
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D001707:Biopsy, Needle; D002358:Cartilage, Articular / Q000473:pathology; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D010003:Osteoarthritis / Q000150:complications / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology*; D015207:Osteoarthritis, Hip / Q000150:complications / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D020370:Osteoarthritis, Knee / Q000150:complications / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology; D012307:Risk Factors; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012737:Sex Factors; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D013583:Synovial Membrane / Q000473:pathology