Osteophyte
Updates to Article Attributes
Osteophytes are cartilage-capped bony proliferations (spurs) that most commonly develop at the margins of a synovial joint as a response to articular cartilage damage, as seen very commonly in degenerative joint disease. Central osteophytes can develop from cartilage lesions within a joint. They are considered a hallmark of osteoarthritis and. Osteophytes can be confused with syndesmophytes and enthesophytes.
Terminology
Small osteophytes are sometimes referred to as osteophytic lipping.
Clinical presentation
Aside from the manifestations of osteoarthritis, osteophytes can also:
- fracture causing pain
- impinge neuromuscular structures
- present as Heberden nodes and Bouchard nodules in osteoarthritis of the hand
Pathology
Currently, it is unknown if osteophytes are a functional adaptation to joint disease or a pathological phenomenon in their own right 1.
Hooked osteophytes can be seen in CPPD and haemochromatosis-associated arthropathy.
Differential diagnosis
- syndesmophyte: paravertebral ossifications that run parallel with the spine cf. osteophytes which typically protrude perpendicular to the spine
- enthesophyte: located at an attachment of a ligament or tendon, not associated with a joint
-<p><strong>Osteophytes</strong> are cartilage-capped bony proliferations (spurs) that most commonly develop at the margins of a <a href="/articles/synovial-joints">synovial joint</a> as a response to articular cartilage damage, as seen very commonly in <a href="/articles/osteoarthritis">degenerative joint disease</a>. <a href="/articles/central-osteophyte">Central osteophytes</a> can develop from cartilage lesions within a joint. They are considered a hallmark of <a href="/articles/osteoarthritis">osteoarthritis</a> and can be confused with <a href="/articles/syndesmophyte">syndesmophytes</a> and <a href="/articles/enthesophyte-2">enthesophytes</a>.</p><h4>Terminology</h4><p>Small osteophytes are sometimes referred to as <strong>osteophytic lipping</strong>.</p><h4>Clinical presentation</h4><p>Aside from the manifestations of osteoarthritis, osteophytes can:</p><ul>- +<p><strong>Osteophytes</strong> are cartilage-capped bony proliferations (spurs) that most commonly develop at the margins of a <a href="/articles/synovial-joints">synovial joint</a> as a response to articular cartilage damage, as seen very commonly in <a href="/articles/osteoarthritis">degenerative joint disease</a>. <a href="/articles/central-osteophyte">Central osteophytes</a> can develop from cartilage lesions within a joint. They are considered a hallmark of <a href="/articles/osteoarthritis">osteoarthritis</a>. Osteophytes can be confused with <a href="/articles/syndesmophyte">syndesmophytes</a> and <a href="/articles/enthesophyte-2">enthesophytes</a>.</p><h4>Terminology</h4><p>Small osteophytes are sometimes referred to as <strong>osteophytic lipping</strong>.</p><h4>Clinical presentation</h4><p>Aside from the manifestations of osteoarthritis, osteophytes can also:</p><ul>
Unable to process the form. Check for errors and try again.