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PubMedDate not supplied

Management of respiratory compromise caused by cervical osteophytes: a case report and review of the literature.

BACKGROUND CONTEXT: Diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (DISH) is a common condition in the aging spine. DISH is associated with large anterior osteophytes of the cervical spine, which can cause complications by compressing adjoining structures. Dysphagia is reported in up to 28% of patients, but respiratory compromise is rare. There have been no published recommendations for treatment. PURPOSE: To report that resection of cervical osteophytes, without cervical fusion, can be successful in the treatment of severe respiratory distress. STUDY DESIGN: This report describes the management of a patient with DISH and severe respiratory distress resulting from large anterior cervical osteophytes. METHODS: A team approach was used with collaboration between the orthopedic spine surgeons and the otolaryngologists. RESULTS: This patient was found to have compression of her posterior pharyngeal wall by the osteophytes. Tracheostomy was required for the management of the airway. The patient was dependent on the tracheostomy until the osteophytes were resected. The patient was then able to breathe normally. Treatment recommendations were developed based on this case of osteophyte-induced respiratory compromise as well as the previously published accounts of osteophyte-induced dysphagia. CONCLUSIONS: Airway obstruction resulting from DISH can be treated according to the same principles as dysphagia resulting from DISH: surgical excision of osteophytes if conservative support fails.

Airway Obstruction↗
PubMed1998

Correlation between radiographically diagnosed osteophytes and magnetic resonance detected cartilage defects in the patellofemoral joint.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the correlation between radiographically diagnosed osteophytes in the axial and lateral view of the patellofemoral joint (PFJ) and (1) magnetic resonance (MR) detected cartilage defects in the same joint and (2) knee pain. METHODS: Fifty-seven people with chronic knee pain, (aged 41-58 years, mean 50 years) were examined with axial and lateral radiograms when standing of the right and the left PFJ. The presence and grade of osteophytes was assessed. On the same day, a MR examination was performed of the signal knee with proton density and T2 weighted turbo spin-echo sequences in the sagittal and axial view on a 1.0 T imager. Cartilage defects in the PFJ were noted. The subjects were questioned for current knee pain for each knee. RESULTS: Osteophytes at the PFJ had a specificity varying between 59 and 100% and a positive predictive value between 74 and 100% for MR detected cartilage defects. The corresponding values for osteophytes at the lateral aspect of the femoral trochlea were both 100%. In PFJ with narrowing (< 5 mm) osteophytes had a sensitivity and a positive predictive value of 90 and 95% respectively for MR detected cartilage defects, while in PFJ with non-narrowing (> or = 5 mm) the corresponding values were 75 and 65% and the specificity was 50%. A correlation (p < 0.05) between osteophytes at the inferior pole of the patella and knee pain was found. CONCLUSIONS: Osteophytes at the PFJ are associated with MR detected cartilage defects in the same joint. The relation was strong for osteophytes at the lateral femoral trochlea and in the PFJ with narrowing (< 5 mm), but weak in the PFJ with non-narrowing (> or = 5 mm).

Adult↗
PubMed1990

The impact of osteophytic and vascular calcifications on vertebral mineral density measurements in men.

To evaluate the influence of extravertebral calcification on spinal bone density determinations, we measured lumbar vertebral density in 71 hospitalized and 58 normal men using dual photon absorptiometry. The extent of vascular and osteophytic calcification was graded from lateral lumbar radiographs. Fifty-five (43%) of the subjects had identifiable osteophytes, and 86 (67%) had vascular calcifications. Despite similar ages and weights in subjects with and without ostephytes, those with osteophytes had greater spinal density (1.34 vs. 1.17 g/cm2; P less than 0.001), and there was a strong correlation between osteophyte severity and spinal density (r = 0.41; P less than 0.00001). Proximal femoral density was not different in those with and without osteophytes. The distribution of osteophytes in this population was not random, and as a result, the presence of osteophytes obscured the the relationship of bone density to age as well as the comparison of hospitalized to normal men. Vascular calcification had a minimal effect on vertebral density. In summary, osteophytic calcification exerted an important influence on the measurement of spinal bone density in men. This effect should be considered in both clinical and research applications of integral vertebral density measures.

Absorptiometry, Photon↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Oncogene expression in the peri-articular osteophytes.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to ascertain the proliferative and probably reparative potentials of the periarticular osteophytes by evaluating the sites of expression of c-myc, c-jun and c-fos oncogenes in this neoplastic repair tissue. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sections of osteophytes were obtained from knees of patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty for osteoarthritis. Decalcified sections of osteophytes were stained for c-myc and c-jun oncogenes using the avidin HRP technique. Sections of breast carcinoma were used as positive controls. Undecalcified or frozen sections of osteophytes were stained for c-fos oncogene using the avidin alkaline phosphatase technique. Sections of the human skin were used as positive control. For both techniques, sections of normal articular cartilage were used as negative controls. RESULTS: The chondrocytes of the entire cartilage mantle of the peri-articular osteophyte had positive staining for c-myc oncogene but no staining for c-jun oncogene. The basal chondrocytes of the deep layer of the cartilage mantle of the peri-articular osteophyte had positive staining for c-fos oncogene. The normal articular cartilage sections had no staining for any of the oncogenes evaluated. CONCLUSION: The expression of c-myc oncogene in the osteophytic chondrocytes suggests that these cells are actively proliferating. However, c-fos expression in the basal chondrocytes implies that these cells are capable of transformation. This result confirms the proliferative ability of the peri-articular osteophytes and this may suggest that this osteochondral repair tissue, which is apparently wrongly sited, may be a source of tissue for osteochondral grafting for full thickness articular cartilage defects.

Cartilage, Articular↗
PubMed1989

Bone remodeling and osteophyte formation after remission of rheumatoid arthritis.

Bone remodeling and osteophyte formation rarely take place in active rheumatoid arthritis (RA). To determine if disease inactivation leads to their occurrence, we studied 38 patients with RA whose disease had gone into drug induced remission. We looked for osteophytes at the metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joints in roentgenograms taken before and after remission, and correlated their presence to that of osteoarthritis of the distal interphalangeal (DIP) joints. There were 21 patients with RA who had a median of 3 (range 1-8) osteophytes in their "remission" films which were rarely present in their "activity" films (p less than 0.0001). The osteophytes were frequently symmetrical and most often located (41%) at the third MCP joint. In addition, we observed a peculiar remodeling of the styloid process in 13 patients, 9 of whom had developed MCP joint osteophytes. There were no other detectable differences between patients who had MCP joint osteophytes and those who did not. Presence of osteoarthritis at the DIP joints did not correlate with development of osteophytes. We were able to classify the MCP osteophytes into 3 types on the basis of their shape: hook-like that were most frequently bilateral and situated on the radial aspect of the metacarpal side of the joint, beak-like that were most often found at the ulnar aspect of the phalangeal side, and nipple-like which occurred equally on either sites. These differences in distribution indicate that they are not stages of the same process. Our findings indicate that paraarticular bone remodeling occurs upon remission of RA, even in joints where osteoarthritis is unusual. Its shape and location may depend on both their site and the mechanism of joint damage.

Adult↗
PubMed1980

[Aging process of the acetabulum with special reference to the osteophyte formation (author's transl)].

Osteophyte formation at the acetabulum was investigated in connection with aging and osteoarthritis. The materials consisted of 39 specimens of the acetabula obtained from fresh cadavers ranging from 14 to 89 years of age. Of those two of the specimens were in the second decade, two in the third, and others were over 40. Osteophyte appeared at three parts of the acetabula; the peripheral part, the foveal area and the lower portion at the ligamentous attachment. Two types of the peripheral osteophytes were distinguished from their growth direction, and in some sections both types were observed together. Foveal osteophytes were recognized at the rim of the semilunar cartilage in the advanced age group and a double acetabular floor was formed by both the osteophytic projection and the existing foveal trabeculae. In some cases there were small osteophytes formed in the ligamentous tissue at the lower ends of the acetabula. As distribution and growth of the osteophytes in the aging process were in accord with those in osteoarthritis, it would be reasonable to assume that the osteophyte formation in aging might be one of the initial changes of the development of osteoarthritis.

Acetabulum↗
PubMed2006

Osteophytes, juxta-articular radiolucencies and cancellous bone changes in the proximal tibia of patients with knee osteoarthritis.

OBJECTIVE: To determine differences in tibial cancellous bone organisation in knee osteoarthritis (OA) between the central weight-bearing region and juxta-articular radiolucencies adjacent to small, medium or large marginal osteophytes. METHODS: Patients with medial compartment OA (n = 60; F = 39), mean (SD) age 60.0 (9.7) years, and non-OA reference subjects (n = 21; F = 5), mean (SD) age 36.8 (11.5) years, had x4 macroradiographs digitised by laser scanner. Using a modified Osteoarthritis Research Society (OARS) Atlas, right and/or left knees were graded according to marginal osteophyte size into those with small (n = 30), medium (n = 30) or large (n = 27) marginal osteophytes, identified as OPH1, OPH2 and OPH3, respectively. Non-OA knees (n = 30) were anatomically normal. Computerised method of Fractal Signature Analysis (FSA) quantified differences in cancellous bone structure between non-OA and osteophyte subgroups at two regions of interest (ROIs); central weight-bearing and tibial margin. RESULTS: Compared to non-OA, vertical trabecular number increased significantly (P < 0.05) in all osteophyte subgroups (width range 0.12-1.14 mm) within both ROIs. In OPH3, this increase was significantly (P < 0.05) greater compared to OPH2 in the central ROI, and to OPH2 and OPH1 in the marginal ROI at most trabecular widths (0.12-1.14 mm). In the marginal ROI, compared to non-OA, horizontal trabeculae number decreased in all osteophyte subgroups. This decrease was significantly greater in OPH3 compared to OPH2 and OPH1 at small to medium trabecular widths (0.12-0.54 mm). CONCLUSION: Compared to disease associated bone loss at the central ROI of the tibia, the extent of juxta-articular bone loss appears to be associated with the size of the marginal osteophytes.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Age estimation from the degree of osteophyte formation of vertebral columns in Japanese.

To assess the age estimation from the degree of osteophyte formation of vertebral column, we set grading scores from 0 to 3 for the osteophyte formation based on the height of the process of vertebral column, and defined the average of the values at the cervical, thoracic and lumbar parts of the vertebra to be 'osteophyte formation index' for an individual. We evaluated osteophyte formation in autopsied 225 bodies (138 males, 87 females) during 5 years, and statistically analyzed the integrated data. The following were statistically obtained for each sex: correlation coefficient, regression equation, standard error of estimate (SE) between the score at each part of the vertebral column and age, and between 'osteophyte formation index' and age. In all the parts of the vertebra, there was a significant correlation between the score value and age. We recognized a significant correlation between 'osteophyte formation index' (X) and age (Y), and regression lines were Y = 37.90 + 12.07X (SE; 12.6 y.o.) in males and Y = 36.67+18.64X (SE; 11.9 y.o.) in females. It was apparent that to know the degree of the osteophyte formation was useful in age estimation.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Development and regulation of osteophyte formation during experimental osteoarthritis.

OBJECTIVES: Osteophytes represent areas of new cartilage and bone formation in human and experimentally induced osteoarthritis (OA). The present study addressed the production of nitric oxide (NO), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and the occurrence of apoptosis during osteophyte formation. DESIGN: Osteophytes in the knee joint of rabbits that developed OA-like lesions following anterior cruciate ligament transection (ACLT) were analysed by histology and immunohistochemistry for NO production, and the presence of VEGF. TUNEL was used to detect DNA fragmentation. RESULTS: At the joint margins in the interface between cortical bone marrow and periosteal lining growth plate-like formations were detectable as early as 4 weeks after ACLT. By 12 weeks after ACLT osteophytes were visible in 100% of femoral condyles and tibial plateaus. Discrete areas with proliferating chondrocytes, hypertrophic chondrocytes, calcified matrix and vascular invasion were observed. VEGF immunoreactivity was most prominent in hypertrophic chondrocytes 9 weeks after ACLT. Nitrotyrosine immunoreactivity was detected in endothelial cells and in some hypertrophic chondrocytes in the calcified zone 4 weeks after ACLT. After 8 and 12 weeks, positive cells were detected in the hypertrophic and calcified zone. TUNEL-positive cells were seen in blood vessels, and among hypertrophic chondrocytes adjacent to the blood vessels 4 weeks after ACLT. The proliferative zone, pre-hypertrophic zone and hypertrophic zone showed only a few TUNEL positive cells. In contrast, 8 weeks and 12 weeks after ACLT, most hypertrophic chondrocytes, but few proliferative chondrocytes showed DNA fragmentation. CONCLUSIONS: Hypertrophic chondrocytes in osteophytes express VEGF and this can promote vascular invasion of cartilage. The presence of TUNEL-positive cells shows a similar distribution as nitrotyrosine immunoreactivity during all phases of osteophyte development, suggesting that NO production and chondrocyte death are related events in osteophyte formation.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

Osteophyte development--molecular characterization of differentiation stages.

OBJECTIVE: Osteophytes are non-neoplastic osteo-cartilaginous protrusions growing at the margins of osteoarthritic joints. They can not only be considered as in situ repair tissue, but also represent an excellent in vivo model for induced cartilage repair processes. Our focus was to identify different steps of osteophyte development via analysis of expression patterns of marker genes of chondrocytic differentiation. DESIGN: We performed an extensive analysis of the presence and expression of matrix components using histochemical, immunohistochemical and in situ hybridization technology. RESULTS: Four different stages of osteophyte formation could be identified based on histomorphological and cell biological parameters: starting from mesenchymal condensates, chondrogenic differentiation is indicated by the onset of Col2A and aggrecan expression (stage I). Stage II shows fibrocartilage with an admixture of cartilaginous and fibrous matrix components such as Col2 and aggrecan on the one hand and Col1 on the other hand. The proliferating osteophyte (stage III) shows a zonal organization similar to the fetal growth plate cartilage with extensive chondrocyte hypertrophy in the zones next to ongoing endochondral bone formation. 'Mature' osteophytes (stage IV) resembled largely articular hyaline cartilage with a predominance of Col2 and aggrecan and Col6 found mainly pericellularily. CONCLUSIONS: The development of osteophytes is a good in vivo model to pursue chondrocyte differentiation from pluripotent mesenchymal cells to mature or hypertrophic chondrocytes in situ in the adult. The analysis of marker molecules of mesenchymal differentiation allows to identify different stages of repair tissue development and the transformation from fibrous tissue to neo-cartilage. Tissue architecture and matrix composition in mature osteophytes suggests that metaplastic neo-cartilagenous tissue might be one potential source of cartilage repair tissue in the adult joint.

Aged↗
PubMed1997

Influence of osteophytic size on bone mineral density measured by dual X-ray absorptiometry.

PURPOSE: To quantify the relationship between individual osteophytic size and measured bone mineral density (BMD) of the lumbar spine by dual x-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Further, to evaluate the possible consequences of this relationship for the management of DXA measurements in postmenopausal patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In 142 postmenopausal women (mean age 61.8 +/- 8.9 years), plain radiographs of the lumbar spine were evaluated and graded according to evidence and size of osteophytes. The BMD (g/cm2) and Z-score (deviation of BMD from an age-matched population, %) of each vertebral body was determined by DXA. The effects of the individual osteophytic size on BMD measurements were analyzed by using analysis of variance followed by a multiple test procedure. RESULTS: The presence of osteophytes resulted in a significant increase in BMD of L1 through L4. The increase in relation to an osteophytic size of about 10 mm was: in L1 5.7%, in L2 6.8%, in L3 4.4% and in L4 3.5%. Increases were significantly higher for an osteophytic size of 10-20 mm (L1 23.1%, L2 13.0%, L3 13.4%, and L4 16.3%) and of > 20 mm (L1 21.4%, L2 22.4%, L3 21.1% and L4 4.1%). CONCLUSION: Our results indicate a nonlinear increase of measured BMD with increasing osteophytic size. These effects should be considered in routine examination and patient management.

Absorptiometry, Photon↗
PubMed2006

Lumbar disc degeneration: association between osteophytes, end-plate sclerosis and disc space narrowing.

BACKGROUND: Lumbar disc degeneration is characterised radiologically by the presence of osteophytes, end-plate sclerosis and disc space narrowing. AIM: To determine the strength of the association between increasing severity of combinations of these features in a population sample of men and women. METHODS: Men and women aged >or=50 years were recruited from a primary care-based community health index in Aberdeen, UK. Participants had lateral spinal radiographs performed according to a standard protocol. The intervertebral disc spaces (L1/2-L4/5) were evaluated for the presence of anterior osteophytes, end-plate sclerosis and disc space narrowing using a graded semiquantitative score (grade 0-3). Log linear modelling was used to determine the associations (pairwise) between increasing severity of these features, with the results expressed as beta coefficients and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). RESULTS: There were 286 men (mean age 65.3 years) and 299 women (mean age 65.2 years) with spinal radiographs, yielding a total of 2340 assessable lumbar vertebral levels. In all, 73% of vertebral levels had evidence of osteophytes, 26% of sclerosis and 37% of disc space narrowing. Increasing severity of osteophyte grade was associated with an increasing severity both of sclerosis and of disc space narrowing, whereas the severity of sclerosis was associated with the severity of narrowing. This was true at all vertebral levels. The strongest association, however, was between osteophytes and sclerosis (beta coefficient = 2.7, 95% CI 2.4 to 3.1). For sclerosis and narrowing the beta coefficient was 1.9 (95% CI 1.7 to 2.1), whereas for osteophytes and narrowing the beta coefficient was much weaker at 1.2 (95% CI 1.1 to 1.3). There was no important influence of vertebral level on any of these associations. CONCLUSION: The association between increasing severity of osteophytes and end-plate sclerosis is stronger than for other combinations of radiographic features of lumbar disc degeneration.

Aged↗
PubMed1975

Development of periarticular osteophytes in experimentally induced osteoarthritis in the dog. A study using microradiographic, microangiographic, and fluorescent bone-labelling techniques.

(1) The development of periarticular osteophytes in experimental osteoarthritis in the dog degins as early as 3 days after induction of the disease process. (2) Development of the osteophytes is still proceeding 48 weeks after induction. (3) The common site for development of the osteophyte is at the marginal zone where synovial membrane merges with fibrocartilage. (4) At this site the osteophyte begins as a deposition of outside the existing femoral bone cortex. (5) Further deposition of new bone and resorption lead to a remodelling which ultimately produces a mature osteophyte having a trabecular bone structure and free communication with the bone marrow spaces of the femur. (6) In some dogs there is also hyperplasia of bone with remodelling which takes place beneath the cartilage of the nonarticulating face of the trochlear ridge. This develops a mature trabecular structure later in the disease process and may become confluent with the osteophyte at the marginal zone. (7) The bone changes are not confined to development of the osteophyte. The whole distal end of the femur appears to have a marked increase in bone turnover, and there is also evidence of increased bone metabolism in the contralateral limb. (8) Dye injection techniques have shown that an increase in vascularity is associated with this development of new bone, and it is suggested that the results indicate the possible importance of a vascular component in the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis.

Angiography↗
PubMed1998

Relation between Heberden's nodes and distal interphalangeal joint osteophytes and their role as markers of generalised disease.

OBJECTIVE: Heberden's nodes are often used as a marker for osteoarthritis (OA). This study examined how often Heberden's nodes and radiological distal interphalangeal (DIP) osteophytes coexist in the same digit and the sensitivity, specificity, and positive predicative value of each for OA at different sites or generalised disease. METHODS: This was a population-based study of 660 middle ages women taking part in a twin study of OA. Distal interphalangeal osteophytes were defined radiologically and graded on a four point scale (0-3) using a published atlas of individual features. Heberden's nodes were defined by standardised clinical examination. OA in other joint (knees, proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joints and carpometacarpal (CMC) joints) was defined radiologically using a published atlas. RESULTS: Poor agreement was observed between a Heberden's node (HN) and a radiological distal interphalangeal osteophyte in the same finger of the same hand (K statistic (95% CI) = 0.36 (0.33, 0.39)). Although HN and radiological DIP osteophytes had similar sensitivity, the specificity and positive predicative value of DIP osteophytes was considerably higher for detecting knee, CMC, PID OA, and OA in more than two groups of joint (knee, CMC, and DIP joints). CONCLUSION: HN are not synonymous with DIP osteophytes. Radiological DIP osteophytes are a better marker of knee and multiple joint OA than HN. HN may still be an imperfect surrogate for hand OA when radiology is impractical, but are not an accurate marker of generalised disease.

Female↗
PubMed1988

Traction osteophytes of the lumbar spine: radiographic-pathologic correlation.

Previous reports have emphasized two types of osteophytes on the anterior aspects of the lumbar vertebral bodies: the common claw osteophyte and the less common but more significant traction osteophyte, which is indicative of spinal instability. To delineate the importance of the traction osteophyte, a radiographic-pathologic study was conducted. The results indicate that claw osteophytes are more frequent than traction osteophytes, that both may coexist in a single vertebral body, and that, in most cases, these osteophytes appear to represent different stages of the same pathologic process.

Humans↗
PubMed1999

Expression of insulin-like growth factor I messenger ribonucleic acid in developing osteophytes in murine experimental osteoarthritis and in rats inoculated with growth hormone-secreting tumor.

Osteophytes are one of the characteristic features of osteoarthritis and are often found in acromegalic arthropathy. The aim of this study was to investigate insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) involvement in osteophyte formation. One percent collagenase solution was injected into murine knee joints as an osteoarthritis model. In a different animal group, GH-secreting tumor cells were inoculated s.c. to the rat thigh as an acromegaly model. A series of osteophyte formation was examined histologically. IGF-I messenger RNA was detected using the in situ hybridization method. Type I IGF receptors were detected immunohistochemically. In the osteoarthritis model, osteophyte formation appeared as synovial or perichondral cell proliferation adjacent to the articular cartilage on day 5, followed by cartilage formation on day 7 and endochondral ossification on day 14. In the acromegaly model, synovial or perichondral cell proliferation was observed 4 weeks after inoculation, followed by osteophyte formation at 8 weeks. In both models, IGF-I messenger RNA and type I IGF receptor were coexpressed by proliferating synovial or perichondral cells, proliferating chondrocytes, and osteoblasts within the developing osteophytes. These results suggest that IGF-I regulated the initiation and development of osteophyte formation in both models in an autocrine and/or paracrine fashion.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Osteophytes--an alternative source of chondrocytes for transplantation?

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this research was to evaluate the possibility of using osteophyte-derived chondrocytes for autologous chondrocyte implantation by comparing the behaviour of these chondrocytes with that of normal articular cartilage-derived chondrocytes in monolayer culture. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The scrapings from the cartilage mantle of osteophytes harvested during routine total knee replacement for osteoarthritis were enzymatically digested and grown in monolayer culture. Articular cartilage scrapings obtained from visually normal area of the femoral condyle (usually from the posterior cuts) were also enzymatically digested as for the cartilage from the osteophytes. The behaviours of these two sets of chondrocytes were evaluated in monolayer culture, by their gross appearance, matrix protein elaborated and collagen types with the articular cartilage-derived chondrocytes acting as controls. RESULTS: Osteophyte-derived chondrocytes confluenced earlier than normal articular cartilage-derived chondrocytes. The osteophyte-derived chondrocytes elaborated cartilaginous matrix as evidenced by positive staining for Toluidine blue and the cells were immunoreactive positive for collagen types I, II and III. CONCLUSION: Osteophyte-derived chondrocytes are similar to normal articular cartilage-derived chondrocytes in monolayer culture. Since osteophytes are expendable tissues and often found in association with full thickness articular cartilage defects, they may provide an alternative source of chondrocytes for transplantation in cases where autologous chondrocyte transplantation (implantation) is embarked upon.

Cartilage, Articular↗
PubMed2000

Experimental study on mechanism of vertebral osteophyte formation.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this experimental stud y was to explore the mechanism of the vertebral osteophyte formation. METHODS: An experimental model of cervical spondylosis in rabbits was established by resection of the cervical supraspinous and interspino us ligaments and detachment of the posterior paravertebral muscles from cerv ical vertebrae. Because of individual difference, the natural development proced ure of the vertebral osteophyte formation could be seen with a microscope by dyn amic observation. RESULTS: The cartilage end-plate was divided into a growth car tilage layer and an articular cartilage layer. Vertebrae and discs from the 3-m onth control group rabbits showed normal structure. The changes of cartilage pla tes from the 3-month experimental group and the 8-month control group animals showed proliferation in peripheral articular cartilage. The osteophytes from the 8-month experimental group animals could be seen. The osteophyte obviously ari sed from proliferation, calcification and ossification of the peripheral articul ar cartilage. CONCLUSIONS: The vertebral osteophyte arises from proliferation of peripheral articular cartilage which undergoes cartilaginous osteophyte, and then changes into bony osteophyte through an endochondral calcification and ossification.

Journal Article↗