Abstract

Osteoarthritis is the most common joint disorder and a major cause of disability with a major socio-economic impact. In these circumstances is very important to understand its pathogenesis. Although previous research focused primarily on changes in the articular cartilage, more recent studies have highlighted the importance of the subchondral bone, synovium, menisci, ligaments, periarticular muscles and nerves. Now osteoarthritis is viewed as a multifactorial disease affecting the whole joint.

Abbreviations: TNF-α – tumor necrosis factor alpha, IL-1 – interleukin -1, IL-6 – interleukin-6, COMP- cartilage oligomeric matrix protein, BSP – bone sialoprotein, MRI – magnetic resonance imaging, NTx – cross-linked N-telopeptide of type I collagen, CTx – C-telopeptide-cross-linked collagen type I, TGF-β – transforming growth factor beta, MMPs- matrix metaloproteinases, VEGF-vascular endothelial growth factor, bFGF – basic fibroblast growth factor.