Factors Influencing The Development of Normal Patterns of Mineralization

Abstract

The OAM findings obtained from different joints and among different samples of the population have clearly demonstrated that, within a particular joint and allowing for individual variation, regular and reproducible patterns of subchondral mineralization do indeed exist. It is beyond question that general factors, such as endocrines and alterations in metabolism, have an overall influence on the composition of bone. Osteoporosis, for instance, leads to a reduction in mineralization and certain patho­logical conditions such as Paget’s disease bring about an increase. Nevertheless, the locally predominating mechanical conditions are probably decisive for the existence of local differences of subchondral bone density below the joint surface, even in the presence of the diseases already mentioned. Meanwhile the causal relationship be­tween the long-term local stress and the subsequent subchondral mineralization seems to have been so clearly established that, from the distribution of the latter, conclusions may be drawn about the mechanical conditions within the joint.