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Department of Podiatry

Osteoarthritis - Forefoot

Osteoarthritis is a progressive non inflammatory disorder of movable joints characterised by deterioration of articular cartilage, osteophyte formation (usually proliferated at joint margins) and in subchondral regions. Radiographic changes include non uniform joint space narrowing, subchondral sclerosis, osteophyte proliferation and subarticular cysts with sclerotic margins. These is also a lack of peri articular osteoporosis because there is no inflammation. In severe cases looses bodies may become detached and float freely in the joint space

      

         

             
            
            
Above: Early stages of
            Osteoarthritis with slight subchondral sclerosis and
            minor joint space narrowing. HAV is contributing to the
            development of this case.
         
         

            
 
            
            
 
            
            
 
            
             Above: Severe
            Osteoarthritis with obvious joint space obliteration,
            osteophytic growth on both sides of the joint and cystic
            degeneration in the metatarsal. Subchondral changes are
            consistent with some systemic aetiologies. It is
            sometimes unclear with cases like the above whether it is
            a true osteoartritis or another disease process at
            work.
         
      
      

         

            
 
            
            Above: Dorsal
            lipping evident in the lateral view of the 1st MTPJ
            (left). Marked osteoarthritis of the DIPJ (right). Note
            loose body dorsally (joint mice).
         
         

            

            
            
 
            
            

         
      
   
 

      

         

            
 
            
            
Uneven
            joint space narrowing of 1st MTPJ.
         
      
   
   

Content Approved by: Head of Podiatry

Page maintained by: Podiatry Webmaster

Last Updated: July 8th, 2003