[RESEARCH PROGRESS OF PATHOLOGY OF ENDOCHONDRAL OSSIFICATION IN OSTEOARTHRITIS].

Objective: To summarize the research progress of pathological manifestations and mechanism of endochondral ossification in osteoarthritis (OA).

Methods: The literature about endochondral ossification, bone-cartilage remodeling in OA, and joints development was reviewed, analyzed, and summarized.

Results: Chondrocyte hypertrophy and apoptosis, vascular invasion, replication of the tidemark, thickening calcified cartilage, and thinning superficial cartilage are the characteristics of cartilage degeneration in OA. Articular cartilage and growth plate are similar in structure, and cartilage degeneration in OA is similar to a process of endochondral ossification of the growth plate.

Conclusions: Loss of stability characterization from resting metabolic balance to a high conversion state of temporary cartilage in stimulation of abnormal mechanical stresses and cytokines would subsequently contributed to continual calcification and remodeling of articular cartilage, which may be the key link of the initiation and development of OA.