PATHOPHYSIOLOGY, EPIDEMIOLOGY, AND RISK OF OA
An understanding of the pathophysiology and epidemiology
of OA is required to assess and manage risk
factors and implement preventive measures The pathologic processes behind OA result
in cartilage loss and bony changes in diarthrodial
joints (also called synovial joints), the freely movable
unions between bones that have hyaline cartilage on
their articulating surfaces.2 The joint is surrounded
by a capsule and lined with a synovial membrane,
which produces synovial fluid.