Objective. In mice with Col9a1 gene inactivation (Col9a1 ؊/؊ ), osteoarthritis (OA) and intervertebral disc degeneration develop prematurely. The aim of this study was to investigate Col9a1 ؊/؊ mice for functional and symptomatic changes that may be associated with these pathologies.Methods. Col9a1 ؊/؊ and wild-type mice were investigated for reflexes, functional impairment (beam walking, pole climbing, wire hang, grip strength), sensorimotor skills (rotarod), mechanical sensitivity (von Frey hair), and thermal sensitivity (hot plate/tail flick). Gait was also analyzed to determine velocity, stride frequency, symmetry, percentage stance time, stride length, and step width. Postmortem, sera obtained from the mice were analyzed for hyaluronan, and their knees and spines were graded histologically for degeneration.Results. Col9a1 ؊/؊ mice had compensatory gait changes, increased mechanical sensitivity, and impaired physical ability. Col9a1 ؊/؊ mice ambulated with gaits characterized by increased percentage stance times and shorter stride lengths. These mice also had heightened mechanical sensitivity and were deficient in contact righting, wire hang, rotarod, and pole climbing tasks. Male Col9a1 ؊/؊ mice had the highest mean serum hyaluronan levels and strong histologic evidence of cartilage erosion. Intervertebral disc degeneration was also detected, with Col9a1 ؊/؊ mice having an increased incidence of disc tears.Conclusion. These data describe a Col9a1 ؊/؊ behavioral phenotype characterized by altered gait, increased mechanical sensitivity, and impaired function. These gait and functional differences suggest that Col9a1 ؊/؊ mice select locomotive behaviors that limit joint loads. The nature and magnitude of behavioral changes were largest in male mice, which also had the greatest evidence of knee degeneration. These findings suggest that Col9a1 ؊/؊ mice present behavioral changes consistent with anatomic signs of OA and intervertebral disc degeneration.Osteoarthritis (OA) and degenerative disc disease (DDD) are common musculoskeletal disorders, and, as chronic conditions, both have large economic costs (1). Clinically, OA and DDD are associated with joint pain, loss of function, and decreased quality of life. A genetic predisposition to musculoskeletal diseases has been suggested as a determinant of individual risk (2,3), and extracellular matrix mutations have been linked to the premature onset of OA and DDD (4-10). Type IX collagen is a heterotrimeric collagen that associates with type II collagen fibrils and contains domains suited to promote extracellular matrix cohesion (11). Type IX collagen mutations are hypothesized to weaken cartilaginous tissues (8). Mice with inactivation of the Col9a1 gene, henceforth referred to as Col9a1 Ϫ/Ϫ mice, do not form functional type IX collagen molecules (12) and experience spontaneous development of premature cartilage degeneration (as early as 3 months) in the intervertebral disc, knee, and temporomandibular joint that worsens with age (up to 12 months) (12-14). It is not...