Signal transduction by mechanical strain in chondrocytes.

Purpose Of Review: Exercise and passive motion exert reparative effects on inflamed joints, whereas excessive mechanical forces initiate cartilage destruction as observed in osteoarthritis. However, the intracellular mechanisms that convert mechanical signals into biochemical events responsible for cartilage destruction and repair remain paradoxical. This review summarizes how signals generated by mechanical stress may initiate repair or destruction of cartilage.