The Effect of Varus Stress on the Moving Rabbit Knee Joint

A variable-stiffness shoe lowers the knee adduction moment in subjects with symptoms of medial compartment knee osteoarthritis

“…As walking is the most common daily activity of living resulting in the greatest force at the knee (Morrison, 1970), and osteoarthritis has been described to be a ''wear and tear'' disease associated with repetitive loading, an increase in the adduction moment likely plays an important role in the progression of osteoarthritis. Furthermore, an increased adduction moment has been shown to lead to degenerative changes in the medial compartment of the knee in animals (Ogata et al, 1977). Thus, there is strong support from the literature that a statistically significant reduction of 6.2% with the variable-stiffness shoe is clinically important for patients with knee osteoarthritis.…”

Osteoarthritis: Is it a disease of cartilage or of bone?

“…Indeed, the American College of Rheumatology criteria for OA in the knees and hands require the presence of osteophytes (3,4), the most easily recognizable radiographic feature of the disease. However, it should be noted that osteophytes start as outgrowths of cartilage which then secondarily ossify, and that sclerosis probably occurs as a consequence of localized mechanical stress on bone leading to appropriate bony proliferative responses (5). This local stress could well be increased by local cartilage loss leading to joint asymmetry and malalignment, which secondarily increases stress to the local area of bone underneath this area of cartilage loss.…”

The involvement of subchondral mineralized tissues in osteoarthrosis: Quantitative microscopic evidence

“…Using a model of tibial angulation developed by Reimann (1973) and Ogata et al (1977) permits the examination of concurrent temporal and spatial changes within a single joint. Wu et al (1990) used a 30°tibial angulation model in rabbits to investigate the spatial and temporal roles of subchondral stiffening in the development of OA.…”