Unravelling the onset of osteoarthritis

Scientists have found that tiny changes in cartilage that occur at the earliest stages of osteoarthritis make the tissue more likely to be damaged during fast physical activities.

Using new technology, a US team has established that depletion of molecules called glycosaminoglycans at the earliest stages of osteoarthritis then affects the cartilage and reduces its ability to withstand high-rate activities.

“This finding suggests that people with early degradation of cartilage, even before such changes would be felt as pain, should be careful of dynamic activities such as running or jumping, says Dr Alan Grodzinsky in the Biophysical Journal. “The findings can also be used to evaluate replacement tissue to ensure that it can survive these daily activities.”