Subchondral Bone Plate Thickening Precedes Chondrocyte Apoptosis and Cartilage Degradation in Spontaneous Animal Models of Osteoarthritis

Figure 5

Temporal changes of AC and Sb during the progression of OA in DH. Between 10 and 16 weeks, a significant increase of Sbp thickness and density was observed in the medial side of tibial plateau, probably as a consequence of increasing loading on this side. Unlike the lateral side, Tb density did not substantially increase in the medial tibial epiphysis, this perhaps being due to the stress shielding effect as a result of medial Sbp sclerosis. As the disorder progressed, persistent loading on the medial side finally led to a progressive loss of chondrocytes, ACS integrity, and PG between 24 and 30 weeks of age. Within this time point, the lateral side showed a substantial decrease of Tb density. Arrows indicate shifting of load towards the medial side of the joint.