Interrelationships between Human Articular Cartilage Thickness, Chondrocalcification and the Subchondral Plate

INTRODUCTION: Human articular cartilage degeneration has been strongly associated with aging, the degree of osteoarthritis, as well as levels of biomechanical stress. Morphometric changes in the subchondral plate, chondrocyte density and levels of calcification have been implicated as causes of osteoarthritis, but these relationships remain controversial because of conflicting conclusions. For example, chondrocalcification has been described as an irritant, disrupting the articular matrix and advancing the process of osteoarthritis. Simultaneously, increased calcification has been thought to increase the mechanical stiffness of cartilage, which may delay or prevent osteoarthritis. This study aims to investigate the relationships between cartilage height, cartilage calcification, as well as subchondral bone thickness and density of human articular cartilage.